In a landmark move the promoters of the 2023 Super Sprint MotorSport New Zealand Championship have announced the 2024 calendar before the current season has started.

The 2024 summer race series comprises eight events including a return to Christchurch’s Mike Pero Motorsport Park at Ruapuna. The championship calendar will be headlined by the Castrol Toyota Racing Series (featuring the New Zealand Grand Prix) and Toyota 86 Series.

Other categories will contest select rounds including GT New Zealand and D1NZ – New Zealand’s premier drift class.

Part of the motivation for releasing the calendar is creating a cornerstone for the next generation of champions.

“This brings stability to our fans, drivers, stakeholders and venues – where they can plan and know our product of live television and entertainment is secure,” said Brendon White – managing director of the Super Sprint MotorSport New Zealand Championship.

The calendar was announced at the 2023 pre-season meet and greet of teams, category managers and stakeholders, held at the iconic International Motorsports team venue, Grey Lynn, Auckland.

“The work on putting this together, navigating past date clashes and other large events, allows teams like International Motorsport to commit to their customers and in turn make plans and preparations.”

Also confirmed was the venue change for the New Zealand Grand Prix – moving from the North Island location of Hampton Downs to the South Island venue of Highlands Motorsport Park.

“This has been on our radar for a very long time,” said Josie Spillane, Chief Executive Officer of Highlands Motorsport Park.

“It feels like an amazing moment for us to not only have one of our circuits host the Grand Prix but to have it at Highlands. We believe there is so much mana and heritage and privilege being able to run a New Zealand Grand Prix. We are very proud to work with Toyota, stakeholders and the Super Sprint MotorSport New Zealand series to hold and deliver such a significant event that has the glitz and glamour this Grand Prix deserves.”

The first round of the 2023 season begins on 13 January at the Highlands Motorsport Park – the first of eight for the new and live televised series.

Tickets for the 2023 season will be available through ticketing agent www.ticketfairy.com

2024 Calendar – Super Sprint MotorSport New Zealand Championship

R1 24-26 November 2023 Taupō Motorsport Park
R2 (TRS R1) 19-21 January 2024 Taupō Motorsport Park (Historic GP)

R3 (TRS R2) 26-28 January 2024 Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon

R4 (TRS R3) 2-4 February 2024 Hampton Downs Motorsport Park

R5 (TRS R4) 9-11 February 2024 Mike Pero Motorsport Park Ruapuna

R6 (TRS R5) 16-18 February 2024 Highlands Motorsport Park (NZ Grand Prix)

R7 15-17 March 2024 Hampton Downs Motorsport Park

R8 19-21 April 2024 Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon

2023 Calendar – Super Sprint MotorSport New Zealand Championship

R1 13-15 January 2023 - Highlands Motorsport Park 

R2 20-22 January 2023 - Teretonga Park Raceway

R3 27-29 January 2023 - Manfeild - Circuit Chris Amon

R4 3-5 February 2023 - Hampton Downs - 67 New Zealand Grand Prix

R5 10-12 February 2023 - Taupo International Motorsport Park

R6 17-19 March 2023 - Taupo International Motorsport Park

R7 14-16 April 2023 - Manfeild - Circuit Chris Amon

R8 5-7 May 2023 - Hampton Downs

Photo Credit: Bruce Jenkins