Motorsport Diary: Kiwis racing overseas this weekend

While we have a quieter weekend for the overseas Kiwi contingent in the greater scheme of things, two significant race meets are not to be missed.

In the United States, the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs begin with Shane van Gisbergen seeded fifth. Twelve drivers will be cut to eight following the next three races, beginning from this weekend’s outing in Kansas.

In the UK, rising star Louis Sharp wraps up his maiden GB3 Championship campaign with a triple-header at Donington. The Kiwi has a 33-point lead in the championship, while Rodin Motorsport has a seven-point advantage in the battle for the teams title.

If that’s not enough, there’s also Round 2 of the Racer Products South Island Endurance Series at Ruapuna all day on Saturday.

Enjoy the weekend!

Shane van Gisbergen: Xfinity Series Playoffs

• Where? Kansas Speedway
• NZ Times:
  • Qualifying: Sunday 4.35 am
  • Race: Sunday 8.30 am
• How to watch: ThreeNow (Race only)

Let the playoffs begin!

Shane van Gisbergen enters this weekend’s Xfinity Series playoffs ranked fifth out of 12 drivers, with the top eight progressing to Round 2 following three races in the Round of 12. The three-time race winner has a 10 point buffer to the drop zone courtesy of his road course wins. Winning one of the next three races will also secure passage.

Kansas Speedway, a 1.5-mile (2.414 km) tri-oval intermediate speedway in Kansas City, is another new track for van Gisbergen, with it featuring for the first time in 2024 in the playoffs.

Louis Sharp: GB3 Championship

• Where? Brands Hatch
• NZ Times:
  • Qualifying: Saturday 10.40 pm
  • Race 1: Sunday 1.50 am
  • Race 2: Sunday 11.30 pm
  • Race 3: Monday 3.45 am
• How to watch: Live stream (YouTube)

It all comes down to this for Louis Sharp. Four contenders, three races, and one title.

Sharp holds a 33-point advantage over John Bennett ahead of the season-finale at Brand Hatch, with Poland’s Tymek Kucharczyk a futher three behind.

Rodin Motorsport also leads in the Teams Championship, but have Hitech Pulse-Eight just seven points behind.