Motorsports fans are revving to have Supercars back in Taupō, as a massive turnout for the Track to Town event showed.
Just as it has in the past two years, the event involves all 24 Supercars driving from Taupō International Motorsport Park to the town’s waterfront before the racing to meet their fans and showcase their cars.
Among the punters was Steven Mathers, a tourist and retired racecar driver from the United States, who told the Waikato Herald he had ended up in Taupō by chance.
Mathers said that while he has more than 20 years of car racing experience in the US, Supercars was new to him – he hadn’t even known the event was on.
“Things line up sometimes ... [and I feel like] the stars aligned today,” Mathers said.
He had rented a van in Auckland with “no plans” and just started driving. When he ended up in Taupō, he quickly fell in love with the town because of the scenery, mountainbiking, hotpools, and the people.
At a local cafe, Mathers met some people who showed him how to get tickets to the racing, and he was now looking forward to the weekend.
He said while there were “similar” race events in the US, he felt Supercars was “unique”.
Gary and Julie Piper, who live in Taupō in summer and Noosa, Australia, in winter, were also checking out the Track to Town event.
“We always come to the parade because it’s such a fun community event,” Julie told the Waikato Herald.
“It’s a wonderful atmosphere, you get to see the cars, you get to see the drivers, you know, there is a real buzz.”
Gary added: “And the way the drivers are approachable, it’s just exciting.”
Fellow punter Laurence Beckett is usually based in Wellington, but he has a bach in town with his family.
He has been following Supercars for about 30 years, a passion he shares with his father.
Beckett said he had attended the Supercars round in Taupō for the past two years, but this was the first time he made it to the Track to Town event.
“It’s really cool ... [It’s] good to get up close with the cars, and the drivers are milling about, and the opportunities for signing.”
Being a Wellingtonian, he especially looked forward to seeing Ryan Wood out and about.
The event was also attended by a lot of little Supercars fans, like Oscar, 5, and Isaac, 3.
Their mum, Holly Bowen, a Taupō resident, said they had attended Track to Town in the past, but not the racing, because the kids were too little. Now she was looking forward to
“It’s fun, it’s so exciting for [the kids]. They love it, and they love the free flags.
“We always line up where [the cars] take off [to hear them rev].”
The Track to Town was preceded by a pōwhiri, led by mana whenua representatives Snow Rameka and Tyson Taikato.
The pōwhiri included waiata from a local group of Taupō-nui-a-Tia College’s Te Awhiorangi kapa haka group and members of The Haka Shop, and a blessing of the Supercars trophies.
The on-track action kicked off with practice today, before races tomorrow and, weather permitting, Sunday.
Supercars has already announced changes to the track schedule, including extending Saturday’s second race to 200km, due to the extreme weather forecast.
They will monitor the situation and continue to work with local authorities to ensure the safety of all parties involved.
For full schedule, ticketing details and updates, visit supercars.com.
Before the racing, Supercars drivers were amped about being back in New Zealand.
Brodie Kostecki, who is leading on points, said New Zealand was one of his favourite places to race because of the “passionate” fans.
When asked if he was intimidated by the amplified support for the three Kiwi drivers, Kostecki said, “Of course”.
“The Kiwis really get behind their own here, which is really cool to see.”
However, he said he felt that his team, Dick Johnson Racing, also have a lot of support in New Zealand, which he said was an overhang from the “Scotty Mac” – Scott McLaughlin – era.
McLaughlin, of Christchurch, now competes in the IndyCar Series but previously raced in the Supercars Championship, scoring 13 wins in 2020.
Kiwi driver Matt Payne, who is hoping to hold on to the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy after winning it last year, said he was most looking forward to the New Zealand crowd and being around fans.
“They are so passionate about racing ... just seeing that level of excitement makes you feel good when you’re out here racing and makes you wanna lift [your performance] for them.”
Fellow Kiwi Ryan Wood, who claimed his first career podium at Taupō last year and who topped today’s practice, said this round was his favourite.
“To have two weekends in a row’s super special, [I] feel real spoiled.
“Hopefully myself will be ... in contention for you ... probably one of the coolest accolades in Supercars with the JR trophy, so I’m looking forward to a big challenge.”
Andre Heimgartner has designed a special helmet for the two New Zealand rounds.
“It’s based off the same design as my full-time helmet ... but a bit of a Kiwi flavour. It’s got the koru pattern through it and also on the back has ... iconic Kiwi symbols.
“[I] tried to pick things that meant something to me when I was growing up in New Zealand.
“I try and do [a special helmet] every now and then. At the Gold Coast I did one, cause I love the Gold Coast.
“I sort of marked out this year that I’d do the New Zealand round ... It’s very special to myself.
“Having two rounds here [in NZ] it’s really worthwhile putting a bit of effort into it and making something cool and memorable.”
Danielle Zollickhofer is the Waikato news director and a multimedia journalist at theWaikato Herald. She joined NZME in 2021 and is based in Hamilton.