Motorsport Diary: Kiwis racing overseas this weekend

It’s a race weekend!

The Perth SuperSprint sees Kiwis Jaxon Evans, Ryan Wood, Richie Stanaway, Andre Heimgartner, and Matt Payne called to action for the fourth round of the 2024 campaign.

In the United States, there’s also the not-so-small matter of Indy 500 qualifying, where Scott Dixon, Scott McLaughlin, Marcus Armstrong and Tom Blomqvist will be aiming to take their place in the history books.

Southlander Alex Crosbie is also in action in the US, making his Formula 4 debut at Road America.

Rianna O’Meara-Hunt returns to the GT Cup Championship in Europe, having podiumed in three of the opening four races.

For viewing times and all the information you need, see below.

Supercars: Heimgartner, Payne, Evans, Wood & Stanaway

• Where? Wanneroo Raceway, Perth
• NZ Times:
  • Practice 1: Friday 6.20 pm
  • Practice 2: Saturday 1.15 pm
  • Race 9 Qualifying: Saturday 4.00 pm
  • Race 9: Saturday 7.45 pm
  • Practice 3: Sunday 1.40 pm
  • Race 10 Qualifying: Sunday 4.00 pm
  • Race 10: Sunday 7.45 pm
• How to watch: Sky Sport

A new-look Perth SuperSprint sees two 55-lap races, one each on Saturday and Sunday.

Richie Stanaway leads the Kiwi charge in the standings, sitting fourth but 289 points behind Championship leader Will Brown. Matt Payne is one place and only four points behind his Penrite Racing teammate.

Andre Heimgartner enters the round with form on his side following his history-making win in the first-ever race in the ITM Taupo Super400. Heimgartner is eighth in the standings.

Jaxon Evans sits one place above compatriot Ryan Wood in 18th, with the latter having accomplished a career-best fourth in the opening race in Taupo.

IndyCar: Dixon, McLaughlin, Armstrong & Blomqvist- Indy 500 Qualifying

• Where? Indianapolis Motor Speedway
• NZ Times:
  • Practice 5: Saturday 4.00 am
  • Practice 6: Sunday 12.30 am
  • Qualifying 1: Sunday 3.00 am
  • Qualifying 2: Monday 7.00 am
• How to watch: Sky Sport

The famed IndyCar Month of May is well underway, with rain impacting the opening two practices in Indianapolis.

The first part of qualifying begins on Sunday morning, with grids 13-30 set based on each driver’s best four-lap average speed. On Monday morning, the bottom four of the 34 qualifiers will fight for the remaining three positions on the 33-car grid while the top 12 battle it out in Round 2.

The Top 12 Shootout then reduces to the six fastest before the Firestone Fast Six determines the front two rows, with the Indy 500 starting in a three-wide formation.

Rianna O’Meara-Hunt: GT Cup Championship

• Where? Brands Hatch GP, UK
• NZ Times:
  • Qualifying 1: Saturday 9.00 pm
  • Sprint Race 1: Sunday 12.15 am
  • Pit Stop Race 1: Sunday 2.55 am
  • Qualifying 2: Sunday 9.55 pm
  • Pit-Stop Race 2: Monday 12.15 am
  • Sprint Race 2: Monday 3.25 am
• How to watch: Free Live Stream

Tony Quinn Foundation-backed Rianna O’Meara-Hunt joins Jodie Sloss at Forsetti Motorsport to share an Aston Martin Vantage GT4.

The team races four times over the weekend, with each driver doing a sprint race solo and two longer races that feature a driver change.

O’Meara-Hunt and Sloss are third in the GTH Championship standings following a successful opening round, in which they podiumed three times in four races.

Alex Crosbie: F4 US Championship

• Where? Road America, Wisconsin
• NZ Times:
  • Qualifying: Saturday 10.20 am
  • Race 1: Sunday 8.40 am
  • Race 2: Monday 3.25 am
  • Race 3: Monday 9.15 am
• How to watch: Live Stream (TBC)

Two-time New Zealand Formula Ford Champion Alex Crosbie makes his F4 US Championship debut at Road America this weekend.

The 17-year-old is one of 15 Crosslink/Kiwi Motorsport drivers participating in the event across multiple classes.

Header Image: Penske Entertainment (Chris Jones)