The weekend ahead: Motorsport Preview

With plenty of international motorsport action around the world, once again Kiwis are front and centre. Here’s our pick of events and drivers to watch and follow.

Aug 18, 2023

Supercars Championship – OTR Supersprint
Shane Van Gisbergen #97

He won’t be in Supercars for much longer, so you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to watch one of the series most dynamic stars in action at The Bend this weekend. It’s no secret the new Gen 3 cars and rules haven’t been SVG’s favourite thing, but he remains results focused for Red Bull Ampol Racing and still has that uncanny ability to pull an outstanding drive out of the bag and we’re here for it.

Where: Tailem Bend, South Australia

Race 20 Qualifying (3-part): Saturday 4.10 pm
Race 20: Saturday 7.00 pm
Race 21 Qualifying (Timed): Sunday 12.15 pm
Race 22 Qualifying (Timed): Sunday 12.40 pm
Race 21: Sunday 3.20 pm
Race 22: Sunday 6.20 pm

How to watch: Sky Sport 5

Super Formula Japan

Liam Lawson #15

Another Kiwi who’s future seems certain to change, Liam Lawson, heads into Super Formula’s penultimate round just one point from the top of the championship standings. With a F1 career within grasp, current championship leader Ritomo Miyata has a giant target on his back and Lawson will be looking to make a statement.

Where: Mobility Resort Motegi, Japan

Qualifying: Saturday 5.40 pm
Race: Sunday 5.45 pm

How to watch: motorsport.tv (paid subscription)

Super Trofeo Asia

Marco Giltrap #84

Chris Van der Drift #84

Having won four out of six races so far in the Lamborghini Auckland / Absolute Racing Huracan, Marco Giltrap and Chris van der Drift are leading the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia championship. They are now heading to the Inje Speedium in South Korea for Round 4 of the championship.

Its free to watch live on YouTube and great close racing.

Where: Inje Speedium, South Korea

Qualifying: TBC
Race 1: TBC
Race 2: TBC

How to watch: Free Live Stream (Lamborghini Squadra Corse YouTube)

Porsche Carrera Cup

Callum Hedge #17

Also at the Bend circuit in Australia is Porsche Carrera Cup, with three races supporting the OTR SuperSprint. The race schedule consist of 11 laps each for the first and third races, and a longer 20-lap race in between.

Young gun, Callum Hedge holds the second position in the standings, trailing leader Jackson Walls by 20 points. Other Kiwis, Fabian Coulthard, who missed the first round, is in eighth place, and Chris Pither is in 12th place.

Where: Tailem Bend, South Australia

Qualifying: Saturday 1.05 pm
Race 1: Saturday 5.50 pm
Race 2: Sunday 1.10 pm
Race 3: Sunday 5.05 pm

How to watch: Sky Sport 5

GT World Challenge Asia

Earl Bamber #61
Ritchie Stanaway #888

Earl Bamber and EBM are running in the GT World Challenge at Okayama alongside Adrian Henry D’Silva in the #61 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992). Meanwhile, fellow Kiwi Ritchie Stanaway will fill a seat with Triple Eight Racing that would ordinarily be occupied by Broc Feeney. With Feeny’s commitments in Supercars, Stanaway has been chosen to join Prince Jefri Ibrahim. They will be driving the #888 Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo.

Where: Okayama International Circuit, Japan