Team 18 will take the fight across the ditch as the Repco Supercars Championship heads to New Zealand for Round 3 this weekend at the Taupo Super440.

This marks Supercars’ second visit to the Taupo International Motorsport Park in the heart of New Zealand’s central North Island. Known for its technical layout, tight switchbacks, and fast straights, the Taupo circuit demands both precision and consistency from drivers. With cooler autumn conditions and wind gusts off nearby Lake Taupō, teams will also need to adapt to changing grip levels across the weekend.

A key variable for this weekend is the introduction of mixed tyre compounds for the first time in 2025. Saturday will feature two 37-lap (120km) sprint races, with the opening race and Sunday’s 61-lap (200km) finale running on the Dunlop Soft Tyre, while the second sprint will see the debut of the grippier but less durable Super Soft compound. This new tyre strategy is expected to shake up pit lane and add an unpredictable element to the racing.

DEWALT Racing’s Anton De Pasquale heads to Taupo with fond memories, having claimed the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy as the overall round winner in 2024. He’s eager to return to New Zealand and continue that form as he chases more silverware in 2025.

De Pasquale is confident in the team’s preparation and sees the mixed-compound format as a challenge the team is ready to meet.

Meanwhile, TRADIE Energy Racing’s David Reynolds is keen to bounce back from a frustrating start to the season. Reynolds is embracing the challenge of the unknown with the mixed tyre format this weekend and hopes for a cleaner run at Taupo to show the true potential of the TRADIE Energy Camaro.

The Taupo Super440 officially kicks off with a Track to Town parade and signing session in downtown Taupo on Thursday from 3:45pm to 5:15pm, giving fans the chance to meet their favourite drivers up close.

Saturday morning begins with back-to-back knockout qualifying sessions from 10:25am, followed by the first 37-lap race at 12:50pm. Race two follows in the afternoon at 3:40pm on the Super Soft compound.

Sunday starts with qualifying at 10:35am, a Top 10 Shootout at 12:50pm, and wraps up with the feature 200km race at 3:05pm.

Fans can catch all the action live on Fox Sports and Kayo. Check local guides for further details.

QUOTES

Anton De Pasquale, driver #18 DEWALT Racing Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

“I’m excited to get back to New Zealand. It was a really cool event last year, being the first race there.

“We’ve got a mix of tyres for the first time this year which will be interesting, and something we’ll need to adapt to quickly.

“I had a great time there last year, came away with good results, and I’m hoping we can roll out strong and have a smooth weekend.”

David Reynolds, driver #20 TRADIE Energy Racing Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

“I’m really looking forward to getting back to Taupo.

“Last year we had good speed at times but just not when it counted, and we had a mechanical failure in the last race which hurt.

“The format’s different this year with three races and the mixed tyre compounds, so it’ll be a bit of a lucky dip, especially with the Super Softs, which no one has run yet this year, but if you’ve got good balance in the car, you should be able to convert between compounds okay.

“Hopefully the weather’s a bit kinder to us this time – last year it was freezing and wet – but either way, it’s going to be a fun event.”

SCHEDULE

2025 Taupo Super440 (all times NZST)

Friday, April 11
11:45 AM – Practice 1 (30 mins)
2:30 PM – Practice 2 (30 mins)

Saturday, April 12
10:25 AM – Qualifying Race 8 – Part 1 (10 mins)
10:45 AM – Qualifying Race 8 – Part 2 (10 mins)
11:05 AM – Qualifying Race 9 – Part 1 (10 mins)
11:25 AM – Qualifying Race 9 – Part 2 (10 mins)
12:50 PM – Race 8 (37 laps)
4:05 PM – Race 9 (37 laps)

Sunday, April 13
10:35 AM – Qualifying Race 10 – Part 1 (10 mins)
10:55 AM – Qualifying Race 10 – Part 2 (10 mins)
12:50 PM – Top Ten Shootout Race 10
3:05 PM – Race 10 (61 laps)