A spectacular weekend of entertainment on and off the track is promised when the 2024/25 NextGen New Zealand Championship, presented by Repco, gets underway at Taupo International Motorsport Park this weekend.
The championship will feature not only exceptional racing but also a world-class broadcast team that promises to bring the action to viewers nationwide.
Leading the team are some of the most respected names in New Zealand motorsport, including Stephen McIvor, Greg Rust, Andrew Waite, and Ronan Murphy. The team will be overseen by David Tunnicliffe, former Head of Broadcast for Supercars, ensuring a seamless and high-quality viewing experience.
“Fronting our broadcast are two of the best in the business, Stephen McIvor and Greg Rust, who not only bring huge knowledge, but also great personality to the team,” said Tunnicliffe. “Current driver and former Summer Series race winner Andrew Waite will add his insights from both the commentary box and pit lane. For rounds 2 to 6, we welcome back the international voice of Toyota, Jonathan Green. We can’t wait for him to hit our shores.
“The NextGen Championship is not just about finding the next star on the track, but also off it, and with that in mind, we’re delighted to welcome Ronan Murphy to the broadcast team. Ronan will have the tough task of calling action involving not just his brother Cormac but also his dad Greg throughout the Championship!”
Murphy, a Porsche Sprint Challenge Australia race winner, brings a unique dynamic to the team.
“I’m really pumped to be part of the team providing the coverage for Season 1 of the NZ NextGen Championship,” he said. “The level of professionalism that is being brought to the table this summer is going to take the New Zealand championships to a whole new level, and I can’t wait for the action to kick off this weekend at Taupo International Motorsport Park!”
Rust also expressed excitement about working alongside Murphy. “Ronan has a deep passion for motorsport, as well as a comprehensive knowledge of its history. I look forward to working with him this summer, alongside Andrew Waite, to provide insightful and engaging commentary for the fans.”
While Rust will be absent from the opening round, he will be replaced by Richard Craill, a regular commentator for Supercars, Porsche, and Bathurst 12-Hour events.
“Richard Craill is an outstanding commentator, and Kiwi audiences will be familiar with his work from Bathurst,” Rust said. “His addition to the team will elevate the broadcast, and I’m excited for the summer ahead.”
McIvor also expressed his excitement about the championship’s debut season, saying, “I’m totally pumped for another summer of motorsport with the Next Gen NZ Championship. Strong fields, great cars, close racing, and being on Stuff, just like the recent America’s Cup, is a win for all of NZ. “
Waite, a proven competitor on the track and well-respected commentator off it, shares these sentiments.
“It’s a privilege to join the broadcast team for the NextGen Zealand Championship,” he said. “It’s a unique opportunity to share my passion for motorsport and bring viewers closer to the action as we showcase New Zealand’s emerging talent on this exciting stage.”
The on-track action kicks off this weekend with nearly 150 cars across six categories and seven grids. The event will feature the opening rounds of the all-new Bridgestone GR86 Championship, Summerset GT New Zealand Championship, and Super V8s, and continuing action from the Nexen Tyre New Zealand Mazda Racing Series, GTRNZ, and Pirelli Porsche NZ Race Championship.
“We are thrilled to launch the NextGen Championship at Taupo this weekend,” said Josie Spillane, CEO of the NextGen New Zealand Championship. “This is a major milestone for motorsport in New Zealand, and we expect the racing to be intense. Fans can expect fast cars, skilled drivers, and close competition. We are confident this championship will provide exceptional entertainment throughout the season.”
In addition to the high-speed racing, the event offers an array of activities for fans attending in person. The Rock FM Pit Walk will provide a unique opportunity to get up close to the cars and interact with drivers, offering a true behind-the-scenes motorsport experience. Fans can also enjoy a variety of food trucks, and for those looking to test their own racing skills, Taupo’s renowned go-kart track will be open, providing an extra layer of excitement to the weekend.
The event will begin with free practice sessions on Friday, followed by a packed schedule of qualifying sessions and 21 races across Saturday and Sunday.
“This weekend is about more than just racing—it’s about creating an unforgettable experience for fans,” adds Spillane. “From the on-track action to the off-track entertainment, we are confident the weekend at Taupo will be an incredible experience for all.”
With a dynamic broadcast team, an action-packed weekend, and exciting racing across multiple categories, the 2024/25 NextGen New Zealand Championship is set to be a highlight of the summer motorsport calendar.
Whether attending in person or following the action from home, fans can expect a season that brings New Zealand motorsport to new heights.
Entry to view Friday’s practice sessions is free, while tickets remain on sale for Saturday and Sunday’s proceedings.
The weekend’s action will be live streamed on the all-new Stuff SpeedHub streaming platform.
