Latest news with #AndreHeimgartner
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Automotive
- RNZ News
Christchurch to stage Supercars in three-year NZ double-header
New Zealand driver Andre Heimgartner won race one of the Australian Supercars championship round in Taupo. Photo: Photosport New Zealand will stage two Supercar rounds for the next three years after Christchurch was confirmed as the first-ever South Island venue. A revamped Ruapuna Raceway will host rounds of the Australasian touring car championship from 2026-28, along with Taupō, which has extended its deal for the same period. It will be the first time New Zealand has staged two rounds in the same season, with Supercars chief executive Shane Howard hailing the work of numerous bodies to bring racing to the club-run Ruapuna venue, 15km west of Christchurch. Race start with Broc Feeney & Jamie Whincup (Red Bull Ampol Triple 8 Camaro) leading the filed. 2023 Supercars Bathurst 1000. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Howard said the government, Christchurch City Council's economic development agency and the Canterbury Car Club worked together to present a financially-sound vision. "This is an incredibly exciting day for Supercars and for fans across New Zealand," Howard said. "Christchurch is a motorsport city, and Ruapuna is a circuit with huge potential. This is a passionate community with a proud history, and we are thrilled to bring Supercars to the South Island for the first time. "Since Supercars' first visit to New Zealand in 2001, more than 2.3 million fans have attended championship events across the country and we're thrilled to be bringing a second event to the country that makes up 20 per cent of our total audience. "We know what Supercars means to New Zealanders. This is going to be a two-week celebration of Kiwi motorsport that will rival any on our calendar." Ruapuna Raceway will undergo a multimillion-dollar upgrade ahead of the event, including track resurfacing and a rebuilt supporters' lounge. Ruapuna Raceway Photo: photosport Canterbury Car Club has already raised nearly $1 million toward the first stage of development. Club president, Lewis Low said he was proud the club had been added to the Supercars calendar. "This is a dream come true for our club and for motorsport fans right across the South Island. It's the result of years of hard work from our dedicated volunteers and supporters, and we couldn't be more excited to welcome Supercars to our home," he said. "Ruapuna has a proud grassroots heritage, and this investment will help us transform the venue into a world-class facility that can deliver an unforgettable experience for fans, teams and drivers alike." Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said the announcement was significant. "For more than 20 years Supercars Championship events have played an important role showcasing our beautiful country to an international audience and I'm thrilled the South Island will now be part of this from next year," she said. "I'm pleased that with this investment from our Major Events Fund, New Zealand's strong relationship with Supercars will continue in Taupo and extend to include Christchurch, with all the benefits that brings." Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger expected the event in Ruapuna would "inject millions into our local economy - from tourism and hospitality to local jobs and infrastructure". Grove Racing driver Matt Payne celebrates winning race 10 of the V8 Supercar season, Taupo International Motorsport Park, Taupo, Sunday, 13, April, 2025. Photo: Kerry Marshall / Photosport Photo: Kerry Marshall/ More than 67,000 fans were attracted to the event at Taupō International Motorsport Park last year, resulting in 22,000 visitor nights and $5.8 million in visitor spending. Taupō District mayor David Trewavas was delighted to receive confirmation for three more years. "The Supercars event has already proven to be a huge success for our community - it brings energy, visitors, and international attention to our district," Trewavas said. "To see it grow into a two-week New Zealand celebration alongside Christchurch is fantastic for the whole country."
The Advertiser
10-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
Toyota lands second Supercars team for 2026 season
Toyota have unveiled Brad Jones Racing as their second Supercars outfit, leaving General Motors down to four teams for the 2026 season. Brad Jones Racing joins Toyota's testing team Walkinshaw Andretti United in making the jump to the GR Supra. The outfit currently fields four Chevrolet Camaros, driven by Andre Heimgartner, Jaxon Evans, Bryce Fullwood and Macauley Jones. The Supra model has been redesigned in-house to feature a five-litre V8 engine. "I'm a creature of habit, and so change is not always easy," Brad Jones told Fox Sports. "But once I met with the guys and could spend some time understanding them and they took me through their vision, it seemed very clear that this was a great opportunity I couldn't miss. "I think Toyota will be up there or thereabouts. We need to earn our stripes and there'll be a lot of work, but it's a very exciting time for the group." Brad Jones Racing's defection to Toyota comes amid a General Motors rebuild following competition heavyweight Triple Eight's shock move to rival Ford. The remaining Chevrolet teams are Matt Stone Racing, PremiAir Racing, Erebus Motorsport and new homologation team Team 18. Out of the four, only Erebus has won a drivers' and teams' championship. General Motors are also pondering the future of the Camaro, after production ceased last year, and a possible extension to 2027 with Supercars. Toyota will be the first manufacturer other than Ford and General Motors to race in the competition since 2019, when Nissan pulled out of the category. The automotive giant is no stranger to Australia's touring cars circuit, with the GR Cup, featuring Toyota 86 coupes, a longtime support category on the Supercars track. The brand also competes in many motorsport events around the world, including NASCAR and Formula Drift in the United States, Super GT and Super Formula in Japan and Formula Three in Europe. Toyota have unveiled Brad Jones Racing as their second Supercars outfit, leaving General Motors down to four teams for the 2026 season. Brad Jones Racing joins Toyota's testing team Walkinshaw Andretti United in making the jump to the GR Supra. The outfit currently fields four Chevrolet Camaros, driven by Andre Heimgartner, Jaxon Evans, Bryce Fullwood and Macauley Jones. The Supra model has been redesigned in-house to feature a five-litre V8 engine. "I'm a creature of habit, and so change is not always easy," Brad Jones told Fox Sports. "But once I met with the guys and could spend some time understanding them and they took me through their vision, it seemed very clear that this was a great opportunity I couldn't miss. "I think Toyota will be up there or thereabouts. We need to earn our stripes and there'll be a lot of work, but it's a very exciting time for the group." Brad Jones Racing's defection to Toyota comes amid a General Motors rebuild following competition heavyweight Triple Eight's shock move to rival Ford. The remaining Chevrolet teams are Matt Stone Racing, PremiAir Racing, Erebus Motorsport and new homologation team Team 18. Out of the four, only Erebus has won a drivers' and teams' championship. General Motors are also pondering the future of the Camaro, after production ceased last year, and a possible extension to 2027 with Supercars. Toyota will be the first manufacturer other than Ford and General Motors to race in the competition since 2019, when Nissan pulled out of the category. The automotive giant is no stranger to Australia's touring cars circuit, with the GR Cup, featuring Toyota 86 coupes, a longtime support category on the Supercars track. The brand also competes in many motorsport events around the world, including NASCAR and Formula Drift in the United States, Super GT and Super Formula in Japan and Formula Three in Europe. Toyota have unveiled Brad Jones Racing as their second Supercars outfit, leaving General Motors down to four teams for the 2026 season. Brad Jones Racing joins Toyota's testing team Walkinshaw Andretti United in making the jump to the GR Supra. The outfit currently fields four Chevrolet Camaros, driven by Andre Heimgartner, Jaxon Evans, Bryce Fullwood and Macauley Jones. The Supra model has been redesigned in-house to feature a five-litre V8 engine. "I'm a creature of habit, and so change is not always easy," Brad Jones told Fox Sports. "But once I met with the guys and could spend some time understanding them and they took me through their vision, it seemed very clear that this was a great opportunity I couldn't miss. "I think Toyota will be up there or thereabouts. We need to earn our stripes and there'll be a lot of work, but it's a very exciting time for the group." Brad Jones Racing's defection to Toyota comes amid a General Motors rebuild following competition heavyweight Triple Eight's shock move to rival Ford. The remaining Chevrolet teams are Matt Stone Racing, PremiAir Racing, Erebus Motorsport and new homologation team Team 18. Out of the four, only Erebus has won a drivers' and teams' championship. General Motors are also pondering the future of the Camaro, after production ceased last year, and a possible extension to 2027 with Supercars. Toyota will be the first manufacturer other than Ford and General Motors to race in the competition since 2019, when Nissan pulled out of the category. The automotive giant is no stranger to Australia's touring cars circuit, with the GR Cup, featuring Toyota 86 coupes, a longtime support category on the Supercars track. The brand also competes in many motorsport events around the world, including NASCAR and Formula Drift in the United States, Super GT and Super Formula in Japan and Formula Three in Europe.
West Australian
10-05-2025
- Automotive
- West Australian
Toyota lands second Supercars team for 2026 season
Toyota have unveiled Brad Jones Racing as their second Supercars outfit, leaving General Motors down to four teams for the 2026 season. Brad Jones Racing joins Toyota's testing team Walkinshaw Andretti United in making the jump to the GR Supra. The outfit currently fields four Chevrolet Camaros, driven by Andre Heimgartner, Jaxon Evans, Bryce Fullwood and Macauley Jones. The Supra model has been redesigned in-house to feature a five-litre V8 engine. "I'm a creature of habit, and so change is not always easy," Brad Jones told Fox Sports. "But once I met with the guys and could spend some time understanding them and they took me through their vision, it seemed very clear that this was a great opportunity I couldn't miss. "I think Toyota will be up there or thereabouts. We need to earn our stripes and there'll be a lot of work, but it's a very exciting time for the group." Brad Jones Racing's defection to Toyota comes amid a General Motors rebuild following competition heavyweight Triple Eight's shock move to rival Ford. The remaining Chevrolet teams are Matt Stone Racing, PremiAir Racing, Erebus Motorsport and new homologation team Team 18. Out of the four, only Erebus has won a drivers' and teams' championship. General Motors are also pondering the future of the Camaro, after production ceased last year, and a possible extension to 2027 with Supercars. Toyota will be the first manufacturer other than Ford and General Motors to race in the competition since 2019, when Nissan pulled out of the category. The automotive giant is no stranger to Australia's touring cars circuit, with the GR Cup, featuring Toyota 86 coupes, a longtime support category on the Supercars track. The brand also competes in many motorsport events around the world, including NASCAR and Formula Drift in the United States, Super GT and Super Formula in Japan and Formula Three in Europe.
Perth Now
10-05-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Toyota lands second Supercars team for 2026 season
Toyota have unveiled Brad Jones Racing as their second Supercars outfit, leaving General Motors down to four teams for the 2026 season. Brad Jones Racing joins Toyota's testing team Walkinshaw Andretti United in making the jump to the GR Supra. The outfit currently fields four Chevrolet Camaros, driven by Andre Heimgartner, Jaxon Evans, Bryce Fullwood and Macauley Jones. The Supra model has been redesigned in-house to feature a five-litre V8 engine. "I'm a creature of habit, and so change is not always easy," Brad Jones told Fox Sports. "But once I met with the guys and could spend some time understanding them and they took me through their vision, it seemed very clear that this was a great opportunity I couldn't miss. "I think Toyota will be up there or thereabouts. We need to earn our stripes and there'll be a lot of work, but it's a very exciting time for the group." Brad Jones Racing's defection to Toyota comes amid a General Motors rebuild following competition heavyweight Triple Eight's shock move to rival Ford. The remaining Chevrolet teams are Matt Stone Racing, PremiAir Racing, Erebus Motorsport and new homologation team Team 18. Out of the four, only Erebus has won a drivers' and teams' championship. General Motors are also pondering the future of the Camaro, after production ceased last year, and a possible extension to 2027 with Supercars. Toyota will be the first manufacturer other than Ford and General Motors to race in the competition since 2019, when Nissan pulled out of the category. The automotive giant is no stranger to Australia's touring cars circuit, with the GR Cup, featuring Toyota 86 coupes, a longtime support category on the Supercars track. The brand also competes in many motorsport events around the world, including NASCAR and Formula Drift in the United States, Super GT and Super Formula in Japan and Formula Three in Europe.
