NZ Super V8s set the stage ablaze at Taupō: Kerry Jones dominates practice & qualifying

The NZ Super V8 class delivered an electrifying performance yesterday at Taupō International Motorsport Park, serving as a dynamic support act to the 2025 ITM Taupō Super440.

As the Supercars Championship returns to New Zealand for a second consecutive year, the Super V8s delivered a preview of the action to come with two high-paced practice sessions and a competitive qualifying round held yesterday.

This year’s ITM Taupō Super440 has already drawn significant attention, building on the success of the inaugural 2024 event, which attracted over 67,000 fans.

Three Super V8 races are scheduled across the weekend. Two races will occur today, the first starting at 9:50 AM and the second at 2:30 PM.

The third and final race is set for Sunday at 12:15 PM, promising fans another dose of adrenaline-fueled motorsport action.

The Taupō circuit, renowned for its fast and flowing layout and high tyre degradation, provided the perfect backdrop for the Super V8s to demonstrate their power and test their cars ahead of the triple header.

Practice 1 & 2 –

Kerry Jones went fastest in both practice sessions yesterday. Jones was 3 seconds ahead of Brady Wild in the first session and 1 second ahead of Grant Brennan in Practice 2.

Scott Pye improved throughout the practice sessions, finishing 13th in Practice 1 and 6th in Practice 2, improving his lap time by 2.1 seconds.

Jamie McDonald was another driver who improved throughout the day. He took to the Taupō track for the first time in a car where he’d only completed one other race meeting. This was an impressive effort from McDonald, who, after 20 years of Sprintcar racing in Speedway, has made the jump to V8 circuit racing.

Qualifying –

Kerry Jones was the fastest driver in qualifying, topping the table with a 1:25.8023 lap time, a 1.9-second gap to Timothy Edgell and a 2.5-second gap to Brady Wild. Jones only completed four laps in the session and still came out on top to clinch pole position for the first race this morning.

Scott Pye continued to show strong form, improving his lap time by an impressive 0.9 seconds to qualify eighth for Race 1 in his Toyota Camry TLX. A former Supercars driver and fan favourite, Pye is set to be one of the key names to watch this weekend.

Rising Kiwi motorsport talent and current Super2 driver Ayrton Hodson will line up 12th on the grid in the John Roberts-owned TA2 Chevrolet Camaro, just one position behind veteran Angus Fogg in 11th.

The NZ Super V8 class not only entertained fans yesterday but also highlighted the vibrant and competitive nature of New Zealand’s own V8 racing community.

As the weekend progresses, fans can look forward to more thrilling action from the Super V8s, Central Muscle Cars, Toyota GR86 Championship and the headline Supercars Championship races.

Super V8 Full Qualifying Results:

Header Image: Jessica Barnes / Blissful Photography