The TA2 Championship features young Taupō driver Toby Elmiger in a V8 Mustang. Photo: Dan Hutchinson
A feast of motorsport is on show for Taupō fans this weekend with the opening round of the NextGen NZ Championship.
The Championship runs from Friday to Sunday and includes the Bridgestone GR86 Championship, Summerset GT New Zealand Championship, SP Tools TA2 Championship (featuring young Taupō driver Toby Elmiger, Nexen Tyre Mazda Racing Super Series, NZ Porsche Racing Championship and GTR NZ – the latter split into their two regular groups (GTRNZ 1/2 and GTRNZ 3/4).
A big feature of the championship is the close access fans get to the stars and the cars.
Friday practice is free entry and public pit lane walks are available on both days of the weekend.
Driver signing sessions are available on Sunday and podium celebrations will be helpd for all categories throughout the weekend.
Grid walks are available on Saturday for SP Tools TA2 New Zealand and then for the final Summerset GTNZ race on Sunday, allowing fans access to the circuit itself just before the races commence.
Saturday opens with key qualifying sessions, before racing starts with the GTNZ opener and sprint races for Bridgestone GR86, TA2NZ, Porsche Racing and the two GTRNZ categories.
They’re followed by a 45-minute GTNZ Enduro to conclude the day.
Sunday features more action with sprint races for all categories and another GTNZ enduro with racing starting at 9am and continuing through to just before 6pm local time that evening.
Tickets booked online begin with Saturday access at just $42.00 and Sunday at $62.00, while a two-day weekend ticket is $85.00. Tickets purchased online prior to the event are more affordable than at the gate.
Kids 16 and under are admitted free.
For more information visit www.nextgennz.co.nz or follow the championship on socials.