Kiwis racing overseas this weekend (October 13 to 15, 2023)

Things have quietened down following last weekend’s blockbuster few days of motorsport, but Petit Le Mans ensures there is still some great action to be followed, with Kiwis such as Scott Dixon, Tom Blomqvist, and Scott McLaughlin all racing.

Kiwi teenager Bailey Cruse is also in Atlanta for the event and will race in the Mazda MX5 Cup in support of Sunday’s 10-hour race.

Marco Giltrap, Zac Stichbury, and Ronan Murphy return to the Porsche Sprint Challenge Australia, joined by compatriot Clay Osborne, who makes his debut.

Finally, a seven-strong contingent of karters have ventured to Italy for the ROK Superfinals, matching up against the world’s best.

For all the information you need, see below!

Scott Dixon, Tom Blomqvist & Scott McLaughlin – IMSA Petit Le Mans

• Where: Road Atlanta, Georgia, USA
• NZ Times:
  • Qualifying: Saturday 8.20 am
  • Race: Sunday 4.40 am
• How to watch: Sky Sport 5

Scott Dixon and Tom Blomqvist are competing in the Grand Touring Prototype hypercar class at Petit Le Mans, while Scott McLaughlin is driving in LMP2. Petit Le Mans is the final round of the 2023 IMSA Sportscar Championship.

Dixon will line up for Chip Ganassi Racing’s Team Cadillac entry, partnering Sebastien Bourdais and Renger van der Zande in the number 1 Cadillac V-Series R.

Tom Blomqvist, meanwhile, joins Colin Braun and four-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves for Meyer Shank Racing.

McLaughlin will be the sole New Zealander driving in the LMP2 class when he joins Kyffin Simpson and Ari Balogh in Tower Motorsports’ ORECA LMP2 07.

Marco Giltrap, Ronan Murphy, Clay Osborne & Zac Stichbury – Porsche Sprint Challenge Australia

• Where: The Bend Motorsport Park, South Australia
• NZ Times:
  • Qualifying: Friday 5.25 pm
  • Race 1: Saturday 2.25 pm
  • Race 2: Saturday 6.40 pm
  • Race 3: Sunday 3.35 pm (Enduro)
• How to watch:Live Stream (Motorsport Australia YouTube) (Sunday only)

Marco Giltrap, Ronan Murphy and Zac Stichbury will continue to fly the New Zealand flag in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Australia for the penultimate round of the season. They’re joined by Clay Osborne, who debuts in the series for McElrea Racing.

Giltrap currently leads the championship battle, holding a massive 141-point lead over closest rival Aron Shields. Stichbury is third in the standings, having finished outside the top ten only once this season.

Murphy has claimed a race win and two further podiums this year and is seventh in the standings.

Bailey Cruse – IMSA Mazda MX5 Cup

• Where: Road Atlanta, Georgia, USA
• NZ Times:
  • Qualifying: Friday 4.40 am
  • Race 1: Friday 10.45 am
  • Race 2: Saturday 3.30 am
• How to watch: Free live stream (IMSA.TV)

Bailey Cruse will be racing in the final round of the Mazda MX5 Cup in support of Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta.

Cruse has competed in two previous rounds, achieving a best result of 12th in the second race at Road America.

Kiwi Karting Contingent – ROK Superfinal

• Where: South Garda Karting Circuit, Lonato, Italy
• NZ Times:
  • Friday action: 8.55 pm to 5.00 am
  • Saturday action: 8.55 pm to 5.30 am
• How to follow: Live Timing

A total of seven Kiwis have made the trip to Italy to compete in the famed Rok Superfinals at South Garda Karting Circuit in Lonato, Italy.

Zach Tucker and Henry Fisher are competing in the Mini ROK category, while Raymond Mallin is in the Junior ROK class.

Brothers Blake and Mitchell Corin are involved in the Super ROK class, and Kartsport Superstar Aaron Cunningham and Mason Armstrong are in the Expert ROK class.

The four-day event began on Wednesday. A full list of results can be found here.