Kiwis in motorsport this weekend

Things pick up slightly for Kiwis in motorsport weekend as the Supercars are back in action for the first time since the chaotic Bathurst 1000. The Kiwi trio of Shane van Gisbergen, Andre Heimgartner and Chris Pither will tackle two grueling 250km races around the streets of the Gold Coast.

The Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia also wraps up their 2022 campaign at the event, Callum Hedge and Tim Miles both looking to finish their season strongly.

Finally, Liam Lawson gets another massive chance in F1 as he fills in for Yuki Tsunoda for the first practice session of the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Liam Lawson – Formula 1

• Where: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City, Mexico
• Times: Saturday 6.30am
• How to watch: Spark Sport

Liam Lawson will return to the F1 paddock this weekend as he takes to the wheel of Yuki Tsunoda’s AlphaTauri in the first practice session.

It’s the second practice run of the year for the Red Bull reserve driver, following a clean run at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium earlier this year.

Whilst a full-time drive is out of the equation next season, the Kiwi will have his sights set on the possibility of a 2024 contract should other factors be in his favour.

Shane van Gisbergen, Andre Heimgartner & Chris Pither – Supercars

• Where: Gold Coast, Australia
• Times:
  • Qualifying Race 31: Saturday 2.25pm
  • Top 10 Shootout Race 31: Saturday 4.05pm
  • Race 31: Saturday 6.45pm (85 laps)
  • Qualifying Race 32: Sunday 12.55pm
  • Top 10 Shootout Race 32: Sunday 2.35pm
  • Race 32: Sunday 5.15pm
• How to watch: Sky Sport 5 (055)

Shane van Gisbergen can wrap up the 2022 Supercars title as early as the first race this weekend on the Gold Coast, needing only 33 points to claim the honour.

He leads Cam Waters by a massive 567 points heading into the weekend in what has been the most successful Supercars season ever. He will win the title if he finishes higher than 24th if Waters wins the race.

Among the record-breaking 19 wins the Kiwi has secured in 2022, two in particular will be remembered for their significance, including the final ever race at Pukekohe and last rounds Bathurst 1000.

Andre Heimgartner will also be looking to bounce back after the troubles of Bathurst, sitting ninth in the standings with the possibility of going deeper into the top 10.

Finally, Chris Pither will be looking to finish his penultimate Supercars round strongly, following news of his exit from PremiAir Racing at the conclusion of 2022. Car speed has troubled the Kiwi throughout 2022, however he has often bounced back strongly to finish inside the top 20.

Callum Hedge & Tim Miles – Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia

• Where: Gold Coast, Australia
• Times:
  • Qualifying: Saturday 12.55pm
  • Race 1: Saturday 5.25pm (16 laps)
  • Race 2: Sunday 11.35am (28 laps)
  • Race 3: Sunday 3.50pm (16 laps)
• How to watch: Sky Sport 5 (055)

After a difficult weekend at Bathurst due to the weather, the Porsche Carrera Cup returns to action with three races in support of the Gold Coast 500. Race 1 and 3 follow the traditional sprint format, while it’s Race 2 that features as the endurance this weekend.

There’s championship battles to be settled in the series, the Gold Coast 500 brining a conclusion to their season. McElrea Racing’s Harri Jones is in the box seat to claim the Pro title with a commanding 74 point lead heading into the event, while Geoff Emery can take honours in the Pro-AM class if he holds his 22 point buffer.

Callum Hedge is the rising Kiwi talent in the field, sitting seventh, out of contention for the title. He has, however, grown throughout the season and claimed a race win in Townsville in addition to a number of podiums.

Tim Miles sits ninth in the Pro-AM standings, a strong round likely to see him shoot up several spots. He also sits fourth in the Pro-AM Endurance standings, only one point off the top three.