Pitstop: Hartley back at Macau

Kiwi Formula One test driver Brendon Hartley returns to Macau for one of only two races, the other being the New Zealand Grand Prix, allowed to be call a grand prix outside of Formula One. Last year Hartley set the track on fire scorching from 20th on the grid in the feature race to finish third.

Youngest V8 Supercar test

Kiwi Formula Ford driver Mitch Evans has become at 15 the youngest to test drive an Australian V8 Supercar. Kelly Brothers Racing invited Evans to test at Winton Raceway recently after making motorsport folk sit up and watch during the Formula Ford campaign in Australia.

Coulthard chooses Holden

Kiwi V8 Supercar driver Fabian Coulthard has left Paul Cruickshank's Wilson Security team and will be turning red next year. Despite a year left on his current contract, Coulthard has been snapped up by Walkinshaw Racing and will pilot an official Holden entry in 2010. His decision to move was helped by the fact his teammates will be title contenders Garth Tander and Will Davison.

MotoGP dates change

The FIM tweaked the 2010 MotoGP calendar, again, with the Czech Republic Grand Prix being moved to August 15. The summer break will now be just over three weeks. Full list: April 11 Qatar (evening race), April 25 Japan, May 2 Spain, May 23 France, June 6 Italy, June 20 Great Britain, June 26 Netherlands (Saturday race), July 4 Catalunya, July 18 Germany, July 25 United States (only MotoGP), August 15 Czech Republic, August 29 Indianapolis, September 5 San Marino & Riviera di Rimini, September 19 Hungary, October 10 Malaysia, October 17 Australia, October 31 Portugal, November 7 Valencia.

Rally rising stars

Young rally drivers from Invercargill to Auckland will contest this year's Rally New Zealand Rising Stars Scholarship shootout this weekend. Nine candidates have been selected to compete for a $50,000 scholarship package.