Kiwi driver Andre Heimgartner ensured Supercars made a memorable return to New Zealand by taking out the first race at Taupō International Motorsport Park.
In wet and wild conditions on Saturday afternoon, Auckland-born Heimgartner won his second career race in the R&J Batteries Chevrolet Camaro, celebrating the first Supercars race in New Zealand since 2022.
Of the five Kiwis who started the race, including Bathurst 1000 winner Richie Stanaway, four finished in the top 10.
Twenty-year-old rookie Ryan Wood recorded the best result of his career with a fourth placing, Stanaway finished sixth and another rookie Jaxon Evans came home 10th, his best result in Supercars. The final Kiwi, Matt Payne, finished 13th after being quickest in qualifying this morning.
Heimgartner’s family watched on from the team garage as he led for the majority of the opening race of the Taupō Super400.