The landscape of Supercars racing in New Zealand could be set for a significant shakeup, with Ruapuna emerging as the frontrunner to secure the second leg of the championship’s annual visit.
According to prominent circuit owner Tony Quinn, discussions are heating up about the rising likelihood of a doubleheader event in New Zealand. Ruapuna is likely to take center stage alongside Taupo, which is already locked in until 2026.
Supercars Committed to Two New Zealand Rounds
“The latest from my side of the table is that the V8s definitely want to do two races in New Zealand,” Quinn told Speedcafe.
“I think that was unanimous in the last meeting that we all had.”
With Supercars eager to expand their presence in New Zealand, choosing a second venue is becoming increasingly crucial. While Highlands Motorsport Park had been in the conversation, government support for the Cromwell-based circuit has fallen short of expectations.
“I think the government assistance for the V8s to go to Highlands is a lot less than they’d hoped for. Because to be honest, that region, Central Otago, has a pretty strong tourism following anyway,” Quinn explained.
Ruapuna Gains Momentum
That shortfall in funding has left the door open for Christchurch’s Ruapuna Motorsport Park to step up as a viable alternative.
“I think the other option for them in the South Island is obviously Ruapuna, which isn’t a bad option.
“[Christchurch] lost the SailGP thing that was there, so they’ve still got a bit of money in the slush fund,” Quinn noted.
However, while Ruapuna presents a compelling case, infrastructure improvements would be required to bring the circuit up to the necessary standards.
“There’d be a fair bit of work to do at Ruapuna, but I think they would manage to do it; they’d rise to the challenge,” he added.
“And let’s be honest, the V8s race at tracks that are not quite up to full standard anyway. You’ve got Tasmania; Tasmania is fine, but it’s not a Tier 1 track.”
From a financial standpoint, Ruapuna may also present a more attractive option for Supercars.
“[Ruapuna] may be a financially better option for [Supercars], which is good because it helps the whole business.”
Velocity News understands that the circuit upgrade cost is estimated to be in the order of 1 million dollars, not the millions of dollars that have been bandied around.
Is Hampton Downs in Supercars’ Future?
While Supercars has settled comfortably into Taupo, track owner Tony Quinn still envisions a potential shift to Hampton Downs, which would bring the series closer to Auckland’s larger fan base.
“If I had a crystal ball… Hampton Downs is a fantastic track for Supercars,” Quinn remarked.
“It’s got flow, passing opportunities, great viewing areas—it has the full package,” he continued.
“And it’s much closer to Auckland, with 1.8 million people right there. But let’s give Taupo a few more years and see how it develops.”
Quinn reaffirmed his commitment to Supercars in New Zealand: “My team and my three tracks are ready and willing to support and be involved in Supercars events.”
With New Zealand’s motorsport landscape evolving, the battle for the second Supercars round looks set to intensify. Whether Ruapuna can lock in its place alongside Taupo remains to be seen. However, it is looking likely with only final funding support and finer logistical details to be confirmed before an announcement is made. Still, one thing is for sure – the return of Supercars to New Zealand is set to be bigger than ever.
Header Image: Supplied
