Supercars’ most historic team will reach a historic milestone at this weekend’s ITM Taupō Super 440 in New Zealand. Gold Coast-based Dick Johnson Racing is set to make its 1100th race start in Sunday’s 200-kilometre race at Taupō International Motorsport Park, becoming the first team to eclipse the mark.
The team’s namesake made the squad and his No. 17 Ford famous, on the back of three championships and three Bathurst 1000 wins, with countless subsequent successes spanning over 40 years.
2023 Supercars champion Brodie Kostecki joined DJR last year, picking up three wins, a number he has already matched in 2026 through two events.
Adopting DJ’s iconic No. 17 for this year, Kostecki now leads the Supercars standings heading into its first-ever New Zealand double header, racing this weekend in Taupō in the North Island, and Christchurch next weekend in the south.
New to the team in 2026 is 19-year old sensation Rylan Gray, who made his full-time debut in Supercars this year.
The Hunter Valley native won the 2025 Dunlop Super2 Series crown, and is gradually building up his confidence in his rookie season.
There will be six Supercars races over the next 10 days in New Zealand, with on-track action beginning tomorrow with practice in Taupō.
The popular Track to Town highlights pre-event festivities today in Taupō, where the entire 24-car Supercars field will drive from Taupō International Motorsport Park into Taupō CBD.
Fans will be able to meet the stars and see the cars of Supercars from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. NZST at the free-to-the-public event.
Friday practice will be followed by two 120-kilometre races on Saturday, and one 200-kilometre race on Sunday.
The driver who scores the most points across the Taupō and Christchurch events will be awarded the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy, named for beloved Kiwi driver Jason Richards who succumbed to cancer in 2011.
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