2026 ITM Christchurch Super 440: Everything You Need to Understand About the Historic South Island Debut

The Repco Supercars Championship is making history this weekend as it heads to the South Island for the first time. The ITM Christchurch Super 440, taking place from April 17–19, 2026, at Ruapuna Raceway, marks a milestone for New Zealand motorsport and serves as the thrilling conclusion to the inaugural ITM NZ Double Header.

Coming off a chaotic weekend in Taupō, the series arrives in Christchurch with high stakes, battle-scarred machinery, and a championship fight that is tighter than ever. Whether you’re heading to the track or watching from home, here is the complete guide to the action at Euromarque Motorsport Park.

The Road to Ruapuna: Recovery from Cyclone Vaianu

The journey to Christchurch hasn’t been without its hurdles. The first leg of the double header in Taupō was disrupted by Cyclone Vaianu, which forced the cancellation of Sunday’s races. Despite the weather, the fleet of 24 cars managed to escape without serious structural damage, though many arrived in Christchurch with “battle scars” from the intense Taupō action.

As of April 14, the Supercars fleet has officially arrived at Ruapuna Raceway. Teams are currently utilizing a rustic pit lane—featuring car ports and temporary marquees—to perform critical servicing and maintenance before track action commences this Friday.

Race Schedule and Format

The ITM Christchurch Super 440 features a high-intensity format designed to test both endurance and sprint speed. The weekend is structured as follows:

Saturday, April 18

• Qualifying: Two knockout Boost Mobile Qualifying sessions will determine the grids for the day’s races.
• Racing: Dual 120km races (Race 11 and Race 12) will provide fast-paced, short-form action.

Sunday, April 19

• Qualifying: A Boost Mobile Qualifying session followed by the high-pressure Boost Mobile Top Ten Shootout.
• Racing: The weekend concludes with a grueling 200km feature race.

What’s at Stake: Trophies and Championships

Beyond the standard championship points, this event carries significant prestige. The three races at Ruapuna will decide the winner of the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to the driver who accumulates the most points across the entire ITM NZ Double Header (Taupō and Christchurch).

In the overall teams’ championship, the rivalry is heating up. Triple Eight currently holds the lead following their performance in Taupō, with Walkinshaw TWG trailing closely in second place.

More Than Just Supercars

While the Repco Supercars Championship is the main attraction, the event is a celebration of New Zealand motorsport. Fans can expect to see a diverse range of talent sharing the track, including:

• GTNZ racers
• Formula Ford competitors
• Historic Touring Cars

How to Watch and Attend

For those unable to make it to Ruapuna, the event will be broadcast live across multiple platforms:

• Australia: Foxtel and Kayo
• New Zealand: Sky Sport
• International: Superview

Tickets are currently on sale via Supercars and Ticketek for those wanting to experience the South Island’s only championship event of 2026 in person.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ITM NZ Double Header?

The ITM NZ Double Header is a two-week motorsport celebration featuring back-to-back events in Taupō (April 10-12) and Christchurch (April 17-19).

Why was the Taupō race cancelled?

Sunday’s action in Taupō was cancelled due to the impact of Cyclone Vaianu, forcing teams to pack their containers on Saturday night for the move to Christchurch.

Who is currently leading the teams’ championship?

Triple Eight has returned to the lead of the teams’ championship, with Walkinshaw TWG currently in second place.