Australian Supercars rising star and 2025 TA2 Australia Champion Jarrod Hughes is heading across the Tasman to compete in Round 2 of the SP Tools New Zealand TA2 Championship at Taupō Motorsport Park next weekend.
The young Australian racer will use the opportunity to gain valuable circuit experience ahead of the 2027 Supercars Championship, with Taupō again featuring on next year’s calendar.
“With Taupō being on the Supercars calendar for 2027, it’s a good opportunity to get my first laps around the circuit and hopefully be able to use that experience next year in the Supercar,” said Hughes.
“Any time you can get on track is valuable, especially when it’s a race meeting instead of a test day. The more time you can spend learning the reference points, overtaking spots and getting a feel for the circuit, the better.”
“It’s also a good opportunity to keep getting miles under my belt and stay sharp. The best piece of advice I’ve been given is that the more seat time you can get, the better.”
With considerable experience aboard TA2 recent years, and stepping up to ‘main game’ Supercars competition, Hughes says that though the cars look similar, the cars are very different beasts on track.
“Although they’re both Camaros, the Supercar is a completely different animal. There’s a lot more technology, engineering and different systems involved, and the feeling you get back through the tyre is quite different as well.
“But in saying that, at the end of the day, they both have four tyres, an engine and we drive on the same track.”
Although Taupō will be a new circuit for Hughes, it won’t be his first racing experience in New Zealand.
“I’m really excited to head back over to New Zealand and tick another track off my list. I was lucky enough to race around Hampton Downs last year in a GT4 car, and I had an absolute blast!
“A massive thank you to HCC, TA2NZ and all my supporters for making this opportunity possible.”
Hughes’ appearance will add further international interest to the New Zealand TA2 Championship, which continues to attract competitors from both sides of the Tasman.
Round 2 of the New Zealand TA2 Championship takes place at Taupō Motorsport Park from 13–15 November.
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