Supercars Cancellation Due to Cyclone Threat
Supercars has made an unprecedented decision to cancel the final day of racing in New Zealand due to the forecast landfall of ex-cyclone Vaianu. This move comes as the New Zealand government declared a Regional State of Emergency for the Waikato region, which includes the Taupo track in the middle of the North Island.
Although the system has been downgraded below cyclone intensity, Vaianu is still producing wind gusts well in excess of 120km/h. The storm is expected to cross the north coast of the North Island on Sunday morning.
The forecast had already forced a reshuffle of the weekend’s schedule, with the longer 200km race moved from Sunday afternoon to Saturday, and the entire Sunday schedule condensed. However, on Saturday morning ahead of the first race of the weekend, Supercars’ acting chief executive Barclay Nettlefold announced that Sunday’s racing would be cancelled altogether.
“This is very unfortunate and unprecedented in our history, but we’ve always got to be mindful of safety and worry about all the (fans),” he said on the broadcast. “You’ve got cyclonic weather off the top of the north island … the timing couldn’t be worse. But we’ve just got to make sure we logistically get everyone to safety.”
While individual races have been cancelled due to heavy rain, it’s believed to be the first time in Supercars history an entire day of track running, including support categories, has been cancelled due to a poor forecast. The Taupo race is the first event in a New Zealand double-header. The cancellation will give teams time to pack up on Saturday night and early Sunday morning and begin the trek to Christchurch for the second race meeting.
Due to the nature of the flyaway race meeting, teams carry limited spares and a heavy crash in Taupo could rule a car out of Christchurch. The cancelled race will be added to the Christchurch schedule and run next Friday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Brodie Kostecki extended his championship lead by taking a dominant win in the opening race of the day. From pole, Kostecki led the field out of the first corner and virtually drove into the distance. He won the 120km race by 16 seconds over Will Brown, who was engaged in a thrilling battle with the Toyota Supra of Ryan Wood over the closing laps.
In each of the last two laps, the pair went side-by-side over the back of the circuit, but the Mustang driver was able to hold on.
