NZ Supercars round moving back to November for 2021

The New Zealand round of next year’s Supercars series will be on November 6-7.

Although the Supercars calendar for 2021 hasn’t been released yet, Australian website Auto Action has revealed a leaked copy of the calendar, with the New Zealand round being the penultimate one of the season.

There wasn’t a New Zealand round of Supercars this year, because of the coronavirus pandemic leading to the closure of the borders.

It was supposed to take place over Anzac weekend. Initially at Pukekohe Park Raceway, but then moved to Hampton Downs, because of issues with Auckland Council’s unitary plan, which banned motorsport at the circuit on Anzac Day.

Supercars chief executive Sean Seamer told Stuff in September had been pencilled in for the New Zealand round in 2021. However, according to Auto Action it will take place near the end of the year.

The New Zealand round will happen after the Bathurst 1000 and before

the final round of the season at the Gold Coast, which means the championship could be decided on this side of the Tasman.

By having the New Zealand round at the end of the season, it reduces the risk of a trans-tasman bubble not being in place.

It is expected that the 2021 calendar will be officially announced in the next few days, but it won’t be confirmed where the New Zealand round will take place.

The round is heavily financed by Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development (Ateed), an arm of

Auckland Council.

The Hampton Downs track is in Waikato, so there could be resistance to why Auckland rate payers are financing an event outside the region. However, Supercars may feel some loyalty to Hampton Down, as it came to the rescue when Pukekohe was ruled out this year.

Wherever it takes place, organisers may find it tougher to get a big crowd in next year as Scott Mclaughlin has left Supercars to drive in Indycar.

Fabian Coulthard has lost his seat as a primary driver at Dick Johnson Racing, replaced by Will Davison.

The 38-year-old Kiwi was offered a job as Anton De Pasquale’s co-driver at next year’s Bathurst 1000, but turned that opportunity down.

Coulthard is looking for a full-time seat at another Supercars team, but there are only a few seats still available. Realistically Team Sydney and Matt Stone Racing are the only teams available and fellow Kiwi Chris Pither is hoping to keep his seat at Team Sydney.

So as it stands now, Shane van Gisbergen and Andre Heimgartner could be the only Kiwi drivers at next year’s New Zealand round.