Supercars Taupō: Ryan Wood takes emotional home victory and JR Trophy lead

The ITM Taupō Super440 turned into a Super320 after only one 200km race and a 120km race were held in Taupo and the second 120km race was moved to Christchurch due to Cyclone Vaianu. Photo / Mark Horsburgh, EDGE Photographics

Two brothers-in-law marked 20 years of attending Supercars together in Taupō on Saturday.

Despite Cyclone Vaianu approaching, thousands of motorsport fans flocked to Taupō International Motorsport Park, among them Chester Sherab and Kevin O’Carroll.

The duo came from Auckland to the event, which they’ve been attending for nearly two decades.

They came prepared for a long day of racing, with chairs, jackets, and bags packed with food.

O’Carroll told the Waikato Herald he was most excited to see the V8s racing, but said the experience wasn’t the same as at Pukekohe Raceway, which used to be Supercars’ home from 2001 until 2022.

“It was one of the best viewing tracks for the best racing,” he said.

Sherab agreed, saying in his view, the Taupō track didn’t offer the same spectator experience as Pukekohe, but “it’s all right”.

Supercars organisers cancelled Sunday’s event in Taupō.

There were two races held on Saturday, one 120km race and one 200km race.

The 120km race scheduled for Sunday would instead be held on Friday in Christchurch.

Chester Sherab (left) and Kevin O'Carroll from Auckland have been attending Supercars together for nearly 20 years. Photo / Malisha Kumar

Sherab said despite the cancellation, there was still plenty of racing to see in Taupō.

“We’ll see the best racing today.”

The Parker family, daughter Michelle, dad Phil, and brother-in-law Joseph, travelled from Hawke’s Bay for the event.

For Michelle and her dad, racing is a long-held and loved tradition, but this time she brought Joseph along, who said he was excited to finally experience it.

“It’s pretty cool. I watch Supercars on TV all the time, but I’ve never been,” he said.

He didn’t have a specific race he was looking forward to.

“I’m excited to watch all the racing, really.”

The Parkers had planned to attend the racing on both days, but changed their plans when news of Cyclone Vaianu hit.

The Parker family (from left) Joseph, Michelle, and Phil. Photo / Malisha Kumar

“We were thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, we might not be able to come because of the cyclone’,” Michelle said.

They decided to make the trip anyway, but cut it short.

The last time Michelle and Phil went to a Supercars event was in Pukekohe a few years ago.

“I have to say, the cars today are not as loud as when I was ... at the V8s in Pukekohe, but it’s still cool,” Michelle said.

Carlos, of Hamilton, who did not want to give his last name, also used to attend events at the Pukekohe racetrack a lot.

Working in the scaffolding industry, he said he had fond memories of helping set up the grandstands there.

Attending the Taupō event, Carlos brought his partner, Mary-Jane, along, who hadn’t been to a racing event in over a decade.

Mary-Jane and Carlos at Supercars 2026. Photo / Malisha Kumar

“I’m just tagging along, but I’m really enjoying myself,” Mary-Jane said.

“I really enjoyed the motocross bikes. That was really impressive.”

She was also looking forward to more car action.

“We saw a couple of spin-outs there before, and that really got me excited.”

This year is the first year that Supercars will run a double-header in New Zealand.

Drivers are now preparing for the inaugural Christchurch Super440 at Ruapuna.

Across both weekends, drivers compete for the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy, which was named for the Kiwi driver who died of cancer in 2011.

The V8 Supercars were the main attraction on Saturday. Photo / Malisha Kumar

The trophy, established in 2013, went to New Zealand driver Matt Payne last year.

Wellington’s Ryan Wood has won the 200km race at the ITM Taupō Super 440, his second career win and first on home soil.

His win was also a historic first for Toyota, which debuted the GR Supra Supercar in the championship two months ago.

Wood dominated the race from pole position until the second pit stop, when he rejoined behind teammate Chaz Mostert.

After leading for nine laps, Mostert side-stepped for Wood to protect the win, with eight laps remaining.

Kiwi Supercars driver Ryan Wood claimed his first win on home soil. Photo / Mark Horsburgh, EDGE Photographics

Broc Feeney was closing in fast but, as he battled with Mostert, Wood had enough margin to win.

It was somewhat of a full-circle moment, as Wood was Mostert’s wingman in the 2025 finals at Sandown, where he delayed Will Brown.

Feeney came in second and Mostert third, with 2024 champion Brown and Auckland’s Matt Payne completing the top five.

Wood said he was proud of his team and thanked his supporters.

“The last two laps were pretty emotional,” he said.

Aside from the Supercars, there were also other races on track, including the Toyota 86 Championship NZ, Central Muscle Cars and TA2 NZ. Photo / Malisha Kumar

“To win ... is pretty special. It just means so much.

“To do it at home, in front of so many friends and family and supporters of mine is so incredible.”

Brodie Kostecki won the 120km race and leaves Taupō still leading the championship, despite finishing sixth in the 200km race.

Wood currently leads the battle for the Jason Richards Trophy, with four races to go to determine this year’s winner.

Supercars will hold one 120km race at Ruapuna on Friday, two 120-kilometre races on Saturday, and one 200km race on Sunday.

Malisha Kumar is a multimedia journalist based in Hamilton. She joined the Waikato Herald in 2023 after working for Radio 1XX in Whakatāne.