Anton De Pasquale claimed the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy with a pair of podiums at the inaugural ITM Taupō Super400, though the race wins went to Will Brown and Andre Heimgartner.

Championship leader Brown won the second and final race in Taupō, after a battle with his teammate and closest rival in the title race, Broc Feeney.

Brown trailed Feeney for most of the race, even making contact on several occasions with Feeney, before finally getting past in the closing stages for Brown to claim his third win of 2024.

Kiwi Andre Heimgartner won the first ever Supercars race at Taupō International Motorsport Park in wet conditions in the first race of the weekend.

Almost two years since Supercars last raced in New Zealand, the Auckland-born Heimgartner won just his second career race in the #8 Chevrolet Camaro – the same number the late Jason Richards used while racing for Brad Jones Racing.

Third in both races was De Pasquale, in doing so claiming the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy for scoring the most points in the New Zealand round of 2024.

Defending Supercars champion Brodie Kostecki returned to racing with Erebus Motorsport but had a troubled weekend with 14th and 13th places.

Brown has now opened up a 71-point championship lead over Feeney, while Ford’s best in the title race is Chaz Mostert ahead of fellow Mustang driver Richie Stanaway.

Matt Payne is fifth ahead of Nick Percat, Jack Le Brocq, Heimgartner, Will Davison and James Golding, who rounds out the top 10.

The 2024 Repco Supercars Championship will resume at the Bosch Power Tools Perth SuperSprint on May 17 to 19.

PremiAir Nulon Racing has announced that David Russell will partner James Golding in this year’s Repco Supercars Championship endurance events at Sandown and Bathurst.

The veteran co-driver joins the team after three years alongside Brodie Kostecki at Erebus Motorsport, with two podium finishes at Bathurst across that spell.

Russell and Erebus Motorsport had confirmed they would continue working together for 2024 following last year’s Bathurst 1000, before the fallout from the uncertainty of Kostecki’s future with the team.

“I am thrilled to finally announce that I am joining PremiAir Nulon Racing,” said Russell.

“Jimmy’s performance at Bathurst earlier this year was outstanding, and I am eager to partner up for some fantastic outcomes in the endurance races this September and October.”

Golding added: “I am looking forward to driving alongside Dave. He has a lot of experience that will add great value to our team.

“I haven’t worked or driven with him previously, so I am interested to see how he goes about it.

“Everyone is different because of the experiences they have had, so there is always something to learn from one another.”

Team owner Peter Xiberras added: “We are very pleased to finally be able to announce that David is joining our team for our 2024 endurance campaign.

“He has won at Bathurst in basically everything except a Supercar, where he has come oh-so-close with a second place at the 2023 event alongside 2023 champion Brodie Kostecki.

“There is no doubt he is highly experienced when it comes to the Mountain and to Supercars, and we are very excited to see what he and Jimmy can do in the #31 this year.”

With Russell leaving Erebus Motorsport, Jayden Ojeda looks set to join Todd Hazelwood as the team’s endurance co-drivers for 2024.

Reigning Supercars champion Brodie Kostecki will return to Erebus Motorsport alongside Jack Le Brocq for the third round of the 2024 Repco Supercars Championship at Taupo in New Zealand.

After sitting out of the first two events of the season following what appeared to be a permanent split from the team, Kostecki will undertake a test day at Winton this week in preparation for his racing return in New Zealand.

“‘m excited to be back behind the wheel again. I needed some time away to prioritise my health,” stated Kostecki.

“I’m grateful for the support, privacy and time Betty, Barry, and the team have given me.”

Erebus CEO Barry Ryan added: “On behalf of Betty and the team, we are pleased Brodie is ready to drive again. Having Brodie back to work alongside Jack as he becomes more familiar with our cars will be a positive for our entire team.”

Todd Hazelwood, who is set to co-drive for Erebus at the Sandown 500 and Bathurst 1000, filled in for Kostecki at the season-opening Bathurst 500 and Australian Grand Prix events.

“A big thanks to Todd; he performed brilliantly under considerable pressure and scrutiny, so hats off to him,” said Ryan.

“We look forward to having him at the test day this week and back in the seat for the enduros later in the year.”