Kiwi race fans have plenty to cheer about on Friday, as Wellington’s Ryan Wood topped Friday practice at the ITM Taupō Super 440. The 22-year-old was quickest in the second Supercars session of Friday at Taupō International Motorsport Park, as the Toyota GR Supra, new for 2026, made its on-track debut in NZ.
Wood was followed by 2024 Supercars champion Will Brown, just three thousandths of a second behind, 2023 champion Brodie Kostecki third, and James Golding fourth.
Fellow Kiwi Andre Heimgartner rounded out the top five in another of the Toyotas in a promising Friday for the newcomers.
Chevrolet driver Jack Le Brocq paced the opening 25-minute session earlier on Friday afternoon, as he returns to Matt Stone Racing which was strong at Taupō in 2025.
There was a close call for the third of the Kiwis in Grove Racing’s Matt Payne, who had a near miss with Erebus’ Cooper Murray in the final minutes of the session.
The close shave scuppered what was going to be a fast lap for Payne, who won two out of three races in Taupō last year, but ended just slight front-to-rear contact, and no significant damage to either car.
Supercars returns to track Saturday morning for Boost Mobile Qualifying, with two 120-kilometre races scheduled for the afternoon.
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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