Kiwis racing overseas this weekend (March 21 to 24, 2024)

The weekend’s action begins early this time around, with the Australian Grand Prix providing plenty of viewing over the weekend.

Supercars will take to the track for four races supporting Formula 1, with Grove Racing’s Richie Stanaway leading the five-strong Kiwi charge after the opening round.

It’s also a busy weekend for Shane van Gisbergen, who runs in the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series at Circuit of the Americas in Texas.

Scott Dixon, Scott McLaughlin, Marcus Armstrong and Tom Blomqvist head out for the IndyCar non-points Thermal Club $1 Million Challenge in California.

Four-time WMX Motocross World Champion gets her title defence underway in Spain, while Marco Giltrap and Fabian Coulthard begin their Porsche Carrera Cup Australia seasons in Melbourne.

See below for all the information you need, including viewing options and New Zealand times!

Shane van Gisbergen – NASCAR Cup & Xfinity Series

• Where: Circuit of the Americas, Texas
• NZ Times:
  • Xfinity Series Qualifying: Saturday 11.00 am
  • Cup Series Qualifying: Sunday 4.30 am
  • Xfinity Series race: Sunday 10.30 am
  • Cup Series race: Monday 8.30 am
• How to watch: ThreeNow (races only)

It’s a double-duty weekend for Shane van Gisbergen at Circuit of the Americas, with the Kiwi driving for Kaulig Racing in the Cup Series and Xfinity Series.

Van Gisbergen is 14th in the Xfinity Series standings, buoyed by a podium finish at Atlanta and a top-ten finish at Phoenix. It will be his first of eight Cup Series races.

Heimgartner, Stanaway, Wood, Payne & Evans – Supercars Melbourne SuperSprint

• Where: Albert Park Street Circuit, Melbourne
• NZ Times:
  • Practice 1: Thursday 1.25 pm
  • Practice 2: Thursday 3.25 pm
  • Races 3 & 4 Qualifying: Thursday 5.10 pm
  • Race 3: Thursday 7.55 pm
  • Race 4: Friday 4.55 pm
  • Races 5 & 6 Qualifying: Saturday 11.00 am
  • Race 5: Saturday 7.40 pm
  • Race 6: Sunday 12.25 pm
• How to watch: Sky Sport

The 2024 Supercars season returns to action as the series supports the Australian Grand Prix.

Richie Stanaway leads the Kiwi charge in the series, sitting fourth in the standings after Round 1 at Bathurst. His teammate Matt Payne is eighth.

Brad Jones Racing’s Andre Heimgartner is 14th, while Jaxon Evans is 22nd.

A problematic round at Mount Panorama sees Ryan Wood yet to get off the mark.

The first of four races begins at 7.55 pm this evening.

Dixon, Blomqvist, McLaughlin & Armstrong – IndyCar Thermal Club $1 Million Challenge

• Where: Thermal Club, Southern California
• NZ Times:
  • Open Test 1: Saturday 5.00 am
  • Open Test 2: Saturday 10.00 am
  • Open Test 3: Sunday 5.00 am
  • Open Test 4: Sunday 9.00 am
  • Qualifying: Sunday 1.00 pm
  • Heat Race 1: Monday 5.15 am
  • Heat Race 2: Monday 5.45 am
  • All-Star race: Monday 6.50 am
• How to watch: Sky Sport 5

While the Thermal Club $1 Million Challenge isn’t an IndyCar points round, there’s plenty up for grabs with a $1 million payout and a network showcase on the line.

Scott McLaughlin enters the event amongst the favourites, having featured on the podium at St. Petersburg two weeks ago.

Scott Dixon and Marcus Armstrong have also shown great pace so far this year, while rookie Tom Blomqvist is showing quick progress and has the ability to mix it at the front.

The Thermal Club $1 Million Challenge event weekend includes a crucial two-day Open Test, group qualifying sessions, two heat races and a 12-car “all-star” race with $1.756 million at stake

Courtney Duncan – WMX Motocross World Championship

• Where: intu Xanadú – Arroyomolinos, Spain
• NZ Times:
  • Qualifying: Saturday 10.50 pm
  • Race 1: Sunday 2.00 am
  • Race 2: Sunday 10.30 pm
• How to watch: Paid live stream (MXGP.tv)

Four-time WMX Motocross World Champion Courtney Duncan gets her 2024 campaign underway, looking to defend her 2023 title.

Duncan enters the season opener with a new team, having joined the F & H Racing Team contingent over the summer.

Marco Giltrap & Fabian Coulthard – Porsche Carrera Cup Australia

• Where: Albert Park Street Circuit, Melbourne
• NZ Times:
  • Qualifying: Thursday 2.30 pm
  • Race 1: Thursday 6.45 pm
  • Race 2: Friday 8.25 pm
  • Race 3: Saturday 8.25 pm
• How to follow: Live timing

Marco Giltrap and Fabian Coulthard begin their Porsche Carrera Cup Australia campaigns this weekend in support of the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

Giltrap is driving for Team Porsche New Zealand/ Earl Bamber Motorsport, while Coulthard returns to Porsche Centre Melbourne Motorsport/BWT.

Unfortunately, as was the case in 2023 in Melbourne, the round is not televised in New Zealand.