Motorsport Diary: Kiwis racing overseas this weekend – April 5-6
There is another big weekend of motorsport action ahead, headlined by Liam Lawson as he prepares for the Japanese Grand Prix. Shane van Gisbergen also continues his campaign in the NASCAR Cup Series, making his second appearance at Darlington Raceway in the Cup series.
In Australia, eleven Kiwis are competing at Phillip Island for the opening Speed Series round. There will be seven lining up for the GT World Challenge Australia season opener, and four making their debut in Porsche Sprint Challenge Australia.
Liam Lawson: Formula One World Championship
Where? Suzuka International Racing Course, Japan
NZ Times:
Practice 1: Friday 3:30 pm
Practice 2: Friday 7:00 pm
Practice 3: Saturday 3:30 pm
Qualifying: Saturday 7:00 pm
Grand Prix: Sunday 5:00 pm
How to watch: SkySport
Liam Lawson has now swapped seats with Yuki Tsunoda and is back at Racing Bulls. Unlike the last two Grand Prix, Lawson has solid experience at this weekend’s circuit, having raced there multiple times in Super Formula in 2023. He also appeared during the Japanese Grand Prix that year, standing in for the injured Daniel Ricciardo, where he qualified and finished in 11th place.
Shane van Gisbergen: NASCAR Cup Series
Where? Darlington Raceway, South Carolina
NZ Times:
Practice: Sunday 4:35 am
Qualifying: Sunday 5:45 am
Race: Monday 7:00 am
How to watch: ThreeNow (race only)
This weekend marks Shane van Gisbergen’s eighth consecutive NASCAR Cup Series race, with the 35-year-old Kiwi lining up at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina. Unfortunately, mechanical issues, pitstop problems, and some unlucky accidents have plagued van Gisbergen’s start to the 2025 season, leaving him 34th in the standings after seven races.
Brendon Leitch, Tim Miles, Jaxon Evans, Ryan Wood, Steve Brooks, Ant & Paul Pedersen: GT World Challenge Australia
Where? Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Victoria
NZ Times:
Practice 1: Friday 1:40 pm
Pre-Qualifying: Friday 4:30 pm
Qualifying 1: Saturday 1:35 pm
Qualifying 2: Saturday 1:55 pm
Race 1: Saturday 5:50 pm
Race 2: Sunday 3:45 pm
How to watch: Speedseries TV
This weekend’s season-opening round of GT World Challenge Australia at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit will feature a strong contingent of Kiwi drivers. Seven New Zealanders will be on the grid, including Jaxon Evans, who returns in the Arise Racing GT Ferrari 296 alongside Elliott Schutte, following their third-place finish in the series last year.
There are also three all-Kiwi entries, led by Brendon Leitch and Tim Miles in the #7 Dayle ITM Melbourne Performance Centre Audi R8. The pair won Sunday’s race at Phillip Island last year and will be hoping to continue that form. Supercars racer Ryan Wood, 21, will make his series debut this weekend, joining fellow Kiwi Steve Brooks in the #88 MPC Audi R8. Finally, the father-son combination of Paul and Ant Pedersen will team up in the #96 Mach1 Engineering Mercedes AMG GT3.
Tom Bewley, Jackson Rooney, William Exton, Hunter Robb: Porsche Sprint Challenge Australia
Where? Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Victoria
NZ Times:
Practice 1: Friday 11:30 am
Practice 2: Friday 3:10 pm
Qualifying: Saturday 12:20 pm
Race 1: Saturday 3:50 pm
Race 2: Sunday 1:45 pm
Race 3: Sunday 6:05 pm
How to watch: Speedseries TV
Alongside GT World Challenge, Porsche Sprint Challenge Australia also kicks off this weekend at Phillip Island, with four Kiwis on the grid for the season opener. First, we have 2023-24 Toyota 86 Championship NZ winner Tom Bewley making his debut in the #4 Team Porsche Earl Bamber Motorsport car. The runner-up from the same season, Hunter Robb, is also making his debut, joining Jones Motorsport to pilot the #69 car.
Rounding out the Kiwi quartet is William Exton and Jackson Rooney, both joining TekworkX Motorsport for the 2025 season. Exton, fresh off his GT New Zealand Championship title win in GT4 just a fortnight ago, will be racing the #42 car, while multiple Toyota 86 race winner Rooney will pilot the #30 Porsche.
