Analysis of the 2025 Supercars Races in New Zealand

The 2025 Repco Supercars Championship made its highly anticipated return to New Zealand for the ITM Taupō Super 440, held at the Taupō International Motorsport Park from April 11th to 13th. This event, the third round of the championship, featured a new “Super 440” format, comprising two 120km sprint races on Saturday and a longer 200km race on Sunday. The weekend delivered thrilling motorsport action, marked by intense competition, strategic pit stops, and significant shifts in the championship standings.

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Race Analysis

Race 8. The opening race of the ITM Taupō Super 440 weekend saw Matt Payne, driving the #19 Penrite Racing Ford Mustang, secure his first victory of the 2025 season. Payne’s dominant performance in the 37-lap sprint race was completed in a time of 1:0:36.816. His victory was further emphasized by achieving the fastest lap of the race, granting him the maximum available championship points.

Joining Payne on the podium were Cam Waters, finishing second, and fellow New Zealander Ryan Wood, who claimed third place. This result marked an all-Ford podium, highlighting the strong performance of the Mustang chassis in the opening race. Payne’s path to victory involved successfully defending an early challenge from Brodie Kostecki in the initial laps, demonstrating his ability to handle pressure at the front of the field.

A significant moment in the race occurred on lap 10 when Macauley Jones’ #96 Wendy’s Racing Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 suffered engine dramas, leading to the deployment of the Safety Car. This intervention significantly impacted the race strategy for many teams, bunching the field and creating a flurry of activity in the pit lane. The pit stops during this period were crucial, with teams like Davison and Feeney forced to stack behind their teammates, showcasing the importance of efficient pit work and the potential for time gains or losses.

The race also featured several incidents that added to the drama. At Turn 7, a collision between Cameron Hill (#4) and Cooper Murray (#99) resulted in Murray briefly going off track and a subsequent 15-second penalty for Hill, illustrating the intensity of the racing and the consequences of on-track contact. Additionally, on lap 5, contact between Thomas Randle (#55) and Chaz Mostert (#25) caused Mostert to spin, highlighting the aggressive nature of overtaking attempts in the competitive Supercars field. Despite these incidents, Payne maintained his composure and controlled the race from the front.

Notable performances beyond the podium finishers included Will Brown, who impressively recovered from 13th on the grid to finish in 5th position, demonstrating strong race pace and the ability to gain positions throughout the event. Kai Allen also delivered a standout performance, charging from 22nd to finish in 7th place, showcasing the potential of the young driver and the Penrite Racing team.

The only significant penalty of the race was the 15-second penalty handed to Cameron Hill for his involvement in the incident with Cooper Murray. Matt Payne’s victory in Race 8 was a landmark achievement, as he became only the fifth New Zealander to win a Supercars race on home soil. The Safety Car period, triggered by Jones’ mechanical issue, served as a pivotal moment, rewarding teams that executed their pit stops flawlessly and penalizing those who encountered difficulties.

The various on-track incidents, such as the collisions involving Hill/Murray and Randle/Mostert, underscored the highly competitive and often unforgiving nature of Supercars racing, where even minor errors can have significant repercussions.

Race 9. Race 9 of the ITM Taupō Super 440, held on Saturday, was a 37-lap sprint covering approximately 120 kilometers. Chaz Mostert, driving the #25 Mobil1 Optus Racing Ford Mustang, emerged victorious, securing his first win of the 2025 season.

Mostert completed the race in a time of 56:14.236, a slightly shorter duration than Race 8. He also recorded the fastest lap of the race, maximizing his points haul for the second race of the weekend. The podium was completed by Will Davison in second place and Brodie Kostecki in third, resulting in another all-Ford podium, further highlighting the manufacturer’s strong performance at this event.

The race was largely defined by an intense and, at times, controversial battle for the lead between Mostert and pole-sitter Brodie Kostecki. This captivating duel involved multiple overtaking attempts and instances of on-track contact, becoming a major talking point after the race. Despite the Safety Car remaining inactive throughout the 37 laps, the strategic element of pit stops still played a crucial role.

Mostert experienced a slow pit stop due to an awkward parking position in his pit bay, demonstrating that even without Safety Car interventions, minor errors in the pit lane can have significant consequences on the final outcome of the race. Early in the race, Matthew Payne, who had won Race 8, was handed a five-second penalty for a jump start at the beginning. This penalty significantly impacted his race strategy and ultimately his final result. Another incident occurred at Turn 7 on the opening lap, involving David Reynolds (#20) and Cooper Murray (#99). Reynolds turned Murray around; however, a subsequent redress, where Reynolds allowed Murray to regain his position, meant that race control deemed no further investigation necessary.

Will Brown, who had a challenging qualifying session, showcased his racecraft by recovering to finish in 7th place after a poor start to the race. This performance highlighted his ability to fight back through the field and secure valuable championship points. The only significant penalty of the race was the five-second penalty incurred by Matthew Payne for the jump start.

Chaz Mostert’s victory in Race 9 was a testament to his skill and determination, particularly in the face of a relentless challenge from Brodie Kostecki. The contact between the two drivers became a central point of discussion, illustrating the delicate balance between aggressive racing and adhering to track limits. Even in a Safety Car-free race, the strategic importance of pit stops was evident, as demonstrated by Mostert’s slightly delayed service.

Race 10. The final race of the ITM Taupō Super 440 weekend, held on Sunday, was the longer 61-lap, 200-kilometer race, which mandated two pit stops for both tyres and fuel. Matt Payne once again emerged victorious, driving the #19 Penrite Racing Ford Mustang. This second win of the weekend secured him the prestigious Jason Richards Memorial Trophy. While his exact race time is not explicitly stated in the snippets, his performance was described as dominant.

Joining Payne on the podium were Cameron Hill, finishing in second place, and Chaz Mostert, who secured third, resulting in a mixed podium featuring both Ford and Chevrolet representation. The race began with a chaotic start. Ryan Wood (#2) made an aggressive move on pole-sitter Brodie Kostecki (#38) at the fast Turn 8, forcing Kostecki wide onto the grass and allowing Cameron Hill (#4) to seize the lead. This dramatic opening lap immediately set the tone for an action-packed race.

Adding to the early chaos, Anton De Pasquale (#18) ran wide at Turn 1, and Kai Allen (#26) spun his car. As a consequence of his aggressive move on Kostecki, Ryan Wood was issued a five-second time penalty, significantly impacting his race strategy and ultimate finishing position. Matt Payne strategically took the lead from Cameron Hill on lap 8 and maintained control of the race through two pit stop cycles, demonstrating both his maturity as a driver and the effectiveness of the Penrite Racing team’s strategy.

Broc Feeney (#88) delivered an impressive performance, charging from 20th on the grid to finish in 7th place and also securing the bonus points for the fastest lap of the race, showcasing his strong race pace and determination to gain positions. The race concluded with a late moment of drama on the final lap, involving contact between Broc Feeney and Andre Heimgartner (#8) at Turn 5. Cameron Hill’s second-place finish marked his third podium in the last two rounds, indicating a consistent improvement in his and the Matt Stone Racing team’s overall performance.

Thomas Randle (#55) also secured a solid top-five finish, his second top-five result of the year, highlighting his consistent performance throughout the weekend. The significant penalty of the race was the five-second time penalty given to Ryan Wood for the start incident.

Matt Payne’s second victory of the weekend was particularly significant as it secured him the prestigious Jason Richards Memorial Trophy, an emotional moment for the young Kiwi driver racing in front of his home supporters. The chaotic start, triggered by Wood’s aggressive maneuver on Kostecki, immediately reshaped the race order and created opportunities for other drivers.

Feeney’s remarkable recovery drive underscored the unpredictable nature of Supercars racing and the potential for drivers to make substantial progress through the field with strong race pace and strategy.

Driver Performance Summary

Matt Payne: Demonstrated exceptional skill and consistency throughout the weekend, achieving a dominant double victory in Races 8 and 10 and securing the coveted Jason Richards Memorial Trophy. His performance on his home track marked a significant milestone in his Supercars career, establishing him as a formidable competitor and a beloved figure among New Zealand motorsport fans. Winning the Jason Richards Trophy carries deep emotional significance, connecting him to the esteemed legacy of Kiwi motorsport.

Chaz Mostert: Showcased strong racecraft, securing a well-deserved victory in Race 9 and a valuable podium finish in Race 10. His intense battle with Kostecki in Race 9 was a major highlight, underscoring his competitive spirit and determination to fight for victory. Mostert’s consistent performance, including a win and a podium, reinforces his position as a strong championship contender.

Cam Waters: Secured a strong podium finish in Race 8 (2nd) and briefly regained the championship lead. However, he faced a more challenging Saturday race and a significant setback in Race 10 qualifying, ultimately finishing outside the top ten in the final race. He lost the championship lead again by the end of the weekend. Waters’ weekend illustrates the unpredictable nature of the Supercars championship. Despite demonstrating front-running pace at times, inconsistencies, particularly in qualifying for the final race, highlight the critical importance of maintaining peak performance across all sessions to sustain a championship challenge. The fluctuating championship lead underscores the tight competition at the pinnacle of the sport.

Brodie Kostecki: Demonstrated impressive qualifying speed, securing pole position for both Races 9 and the provisional pole for Race 10. However, his race results were marred by incidents in both Race 8 and Race 10, and the controversial battle with Mostert in Race 9. Kostecki’s raw speed is evident in his qualifying performances, but his involvement in multiple on-track incidents suggests a need for greater consistency and a more measured approach in race situations to fully capitalize on his inherent pace.

Will Brown: Experienced a mixed weekend, struggling in qualifying for Race 8 but delivering a strong recovery drive in the race. He also qualified poorly for Race 10 but managed a decent result in Race 9, ultimately regaining the championship lead by the end of Saturday before losing it again on Sunday. Brown’s inconsistency highlights the challenges of adapting to different tyre compounds and track conditions. While his ability to recover positions in races demonstrates his underlying talent, the poor qualifying performances suggest potential areas for improvement in car setup or driving style for specific conditions.

Ryan Wood: Showed flashes of brilliance, securing his maiden Supercars podium in Race 8 (3rd) on his home soil. However, a penalty in Race 10 for his aggressive start impacted his final result, highlighting a need for greater consistency and race management. Wood’s first Supercars podium, achieved in front of his home crowd, is a significant milestone and a testament to his potential. However, the penalty in Race 10 underscores the importance of balancing aggression with caution and adhering to racing regulations.

James Courtney/Aaron Cameron (Blanchard Racing Team): Endured a particularly difficult weekend, consistently qualifying at the back of the grid for all three races and failing to achieve any significant race results.³¹ James Courtney openly described the event as his “worst ever” in Supercars. The consistently poor performance of the Blanchard Racing Team raises serious concerns about the team’s overall competitiveness and the effectiveness of their current setup. Courtney’s blunt assessment suggests fundamental issues that need to be addressed urgently.

Team Performance Summary

Penrite Racing (Matt Payne, Kai Allen): Celebrated a remarkable weekend, largely thanks to Matt Payne’s dominant performance resulting in two victories and the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy. Kai Allen also showed promising pace with a strong finish in Race 8. Penrite Racing demonstrated exceptional car preparation and strategic execution throughout the weekend, particularly maximizing Payne’s potential on his home track. This performance could serve as a significant confidence boost and a turning point for the team’s season.

Walkinshaw Andretti United (Chaz Mostert, Ryan Wood): Proved to be a strong contender throughout the event, with Chaz Mostert securing a victory and Ryan Wood achieving his first Supercars podium. WAU demonstrated consistent competitiveness with both their drivers performing at a high level. This reinforces their position as one of the leading teams in the championship, capable of challenging for wins on a regular basis.

Dick Johnson Racing (Brodie Kostecki, Will Davison): Showed impressive qualifying pace with Brodie Kostecki consistently at the front, but their race results were somewhat inconsistent, with Kostecki being involved in incidents and Will Davison securing a podium in Race 9. DJR clearly possesses the speed to compete at the highest level, as evidenced by Kostecki’s qualifying performances. However, they need to address race execution and avoid on-track incidents to translate their qualifying pace into consistent podium finishes and victories. Davison’s podium provides a positive highlight for the team.

Triple Eight Race Engineering (Will Brown, Broc Feeney): Experienced a mixed weekend, with both drivers struggling in qualifying for Race 8 but showing strong recovery pace in the races. Feeney’s remarkable charge in Race 10 was a testament to their race pace. Even a top-tier team like Triple Eight can face challenges in adapting to different track conditions and tyre compounds, highlighting the highly competitive nature of the Supercars championship. Their ability to recover positions during the races demonstrates their underlying strength in race setup and driver talent.

Tickford Racing (Cam Waters, Thomas Randle): Showed flashes of strong pace with Cam Waters securing a podium in Race 8, but also experienced inconsistencies, particularly with Waters’ qualifying for Race 10. Thomas Randle provided consistent top-ten finishes throughout the weekend. Tickford demonstrated the potential for strong results, but lacked overall consistency across both drivers. Randle’s reliable points scoring provides a solid foundation, while Waters’ occasional brilliance needs to be paired with more consistent qualifying performances to maximize their team’s potential.

Blanchard Racing Team (James Courtney, Aaron Cameron): Faced a very challenging weekend with a significant performance deficit compared to the rest of the field. Their consistent presence at the back of the grid and lack of race progress indicate fundamental issues within the team. BRT needs to conduct a comprehensive review of their car setup, engineering approach, and overall team operations to identify and address the underlying causes of their lack of competitiveness. James Courtney’s strong negative assessment underscores the severity of their current performance deficit.

Major Incidents, Penalties, and Controversies

Race 8:

A collision at Turn 7 involving Cameron Hill (#4) and Cooper Murray (#99), resulting in a 15-second time penalty for Hill.

Contact on lap 5 between Thomas Randle (#55) and Chaz Mostert (#25), leading to Mostert spinning.

The deployment of the Safety Car on lap 10 due to engine failure on Macauley Jones’ (#96) car.

Race 9:

Controversial contact between Chaz Mostert (#25) and Brodie Kostecki (#38) during the battle for the lead.

A five-second penalty for Matthew Payne (#19) for a jump start.

An incident at Turn 7 on the opening lap involving David Reynolds (#20) and Cooper Murray (#99), with no penalty issued after a redress.

Race 10:

Aggressive move by Ryan Wood (#2) on Brodie Kostecki (#38) at the start, forcing Kostecki wide, resulting in a five-second penalty for Wood.Kai Allen (#26) spun on the opening lap.Macauley Jones (#96) spun at Turn 7 after contact with Cam Waters (#6).Final lap contact between Broc Feeney (#88) and Andre Heimgartner (#8) at Turn 5.A post-race investigation into an incident between Will Davison (#17) and Ryan Wood (#2) was mentioned.

The high number and variety of incidents throughout the weekend indicate a fiercely competitive event at the Taupō circuit. The debated contact between Mostert and Kostecki in Race 9 was a significant point of discussion, highlighting the fine line in Supercars racing.

The post-race investigation involving Davison and Wood suggests ongoing scrutiny of on-track conduct, emphasizing the importance of upholding fair racing standards. The penalties issued across the three races demonstrate the enforcement of regulations and their direct impact on race outcomes.

Overall Event Summary and Key Takeaways

The 2025 ITM Taupō Super 440 was a captivating and significant round of the Supercars Championship, delivering a weekend filled with intense racing, dramatic incidents, and notable shifts in the championship standings.

Matt Payne emerged as the clear standout performer of the event, securing a memorable double victory in Races 8 and 10 and claiming the prestigious Jason Richards Memorial Trophy in front of his enthusiastic home crowd. This achievement marks a pivotal moment in his career and a proud occasion for New Zealand motorsport. Payne’s exceptional performance underscored his talent and the strength of the Penrite Racing team, resonating deeply with local fans and connecting him to the legacy of a revered figure in New Zealand motorsport. This victory will undoubtedly boost his confidence and profile as the championship progresses.

The weekend was characterized by intense on-track battles, most notably the captivating and controversial fight for the lead between Chaz Mostert and Brodie Kostecki in Race 9. This thrilling duel provided fans with exciting action and sparked considerable debate regarding the limits of aggressive racing in the sport.

The championship standings witnessed significant fluctuations throughout the weekend, with the lead changing hands between Cam Waters and Will Brown multiple times. This constant shifting at the top underscores the fierce competition and the narrow margins separating the leading contenders in the 2025 season. The continuous change in championship leadership after each race emphasizes the parity and high level of competition within the Supercars series in 2025. The fact that no single driver or team has yet established clear dominance suggests that a closely contested championship battle is likely to continue throughout the remainder of the season.

The introduction of the “Super 440” format, featuring a combination of sprint races with different tyre compounds and a longer race with refueling, added strategic complexity for teams and contributed to a diverse range of results across the three races. This format tested the adaptability of both drivers and teams in managing tyre wear, fuel consumption, and pit stop strategies. The Super 440 format successfully injected an element of unpredictability and strategic depth into the Taupō round, preventing any single driver or team from dominating across all three races. The utilization of different tyre compounds on Saturday added another layer of complexity, requiring teams to optimize their car setup for both the Soft and Super Soft tyres.

The enthusiastic support from the New Zealand motorsport fans created a fantastic atmosphere at the Taupō International Motorsport Park, further solidifying the importance of the New Zealand round on the Supercars calendar and highlighting the strong connection between the local fans and their racing heroes. The passionate turnout and vocal support from the New Zealand fans underscore the deep-rooted enthusiasm for motorsport in the country and the significance of having a Supercars round in New Zealand. The strong support for Kiwi drivers like Matt Payne undoubtedly contributed to the emotional impact of his victories.

Championship standings after Race 10 (Round 3)

Credit:
Copy – Gemini Ai
Images – Speedcafe