Kiwis in motorsport this weekend

The 2022 season ends for four more of our Kiwis abroad this weekend with Supercars and Super2 concluding their campaigns at the Adelaide 500.

Shane van Gisbergen, Andre Heimgartner and Chris Pither will all look to round out the year strongly whilst Matthew Payne can win the Super2 title if results go his way.

There’s also a number of great support categories at the event, including the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia, Touring Car Masters, Aussie Racing Cars and S5000. All races will be shown live on Sky so we can all sit back and enjoy a solid weekend of racing.

Shane van Gisbergen, Andre Heimgartner and Chris Pither – Supercars

• Where: Adelaide, South Australia
• NZ Times:
  • Race 33 Qualifying: Friday 8.05pm
  • Race 33 Top 10 Shootout: Saturday 3.05pm
  • Race 33: Saturday 5.45pm (78 laps)
  • Race 34 Qualifying: Sunday 1.30pm
  • Race 34 Top 10 Shootout: Sunday 2.35pm
  • Race 34: Sunday 5.15pm (78 laps)
• How to Watch: Sky Sport 5 (055)

Shane van Gisbergen will be looking to extend his record for the most dominant season in the series history with 21 victories to his name this far, Scott McLaughlin’s previous record of 18 absolutely smashed

He also can finish with the biggest ever championship win, currently held by Mark Skaife from 2002 when he triumphed over Greg Murphy 658 points to the better. Van Gisbergen currently leads by 660.

Andre Heimgartner has been a man on a mission this year but has been let down in unfortunate incidents in recent times. He’ll be pushing to end the season strongly and sits just inside the top 10.

Chris Pither is the third Kiwi in the field and will not feature on the grid next season. Inconsistent results have been the story of 2022 for the PremiAir driver, let down by car performance. He has worked his way forward throughout the year to improve in both qualifying and races and could be one to watch.

The two races also conclude Holden’s tenure in the sport where they’ll be hoping to give the brand the send off it deserves. Van Gisbergen and Chaz Mostert are the most likely two to do this, having split the last 27 Holden victories between themselves.

Matthew Payne – Super2

• Where: Adelaide, South Australia
• NZ Times:
  • Race 1 Qualifying: Friday 3pm
  • Race 2 Qualifying: Friday 7.10pm
  • Race 1: Saturday 4.25pm (19 laps)
  • Race 2: Sunday 3.55pm (19 laps)
• How to Watch: Sky Sport 5 (055)

It’s Matt Payne’s last Super2 event this weekend as he prepares for the main game with Grove Racing in 2023.

The 20-year-old is in the title hunt heading into the event, currently sitting third behind leader Declan Fraser and Zak Best. He’ll have to work hard and hope for some fortune to overturn a 132 point deficit.

Super3 will also join the pack to create a 31 car field meaning excitement and drama are likely.