CHAZ Mostert is readying himself for a step into the unknown as the Repco Supercars Championship visits Taupō Motorsport Park for the first time.
Supercars’ long-awaited return to New Zealand will take place this weekend, and Mostert enters sitting third in the championship behind Triple Eight duo Will Brown and Broc Feeney.
The Walkinshaw Andretti United star is a six-time podium finisher in NZ – all at the now-defunct Pukekohe – but is yet to win a Supercars race abroad.
That’s a statistic he’s hoping to change.
“I love coming to New Zealand, they have some of the most passionate fans, it’s been too long since we’ve been back so let’s put on a show,” said Mostert.
“I’ve never raced around here before so I’ll be making sure I am getting up to speed pretty quick during that 90-minute practice session on Friday.
“This will be a weekend filled with unknowns, with two long races we don’t know how the cars will react to this track, but I’ll leave that challenge to the engineers, they’re the smart ones!”
Plenty of attention will be on Mostert’s teammate Ryan Wood this weekend too, the hotshot rookie being one of five Kiwis on the grid.
“This is such a special round for me, my first home race,” said Wood.
“To be able to celebrate this big step in my career with my friends and family by my side is pretty choice.
“Taupo International Motorsport Park is such a cool track, I spent quite a bit of time there in my junior career so it’s awesome I get to debut with Supercars here, it’s a full circle moment.
“Growing up, my favourite weekend of the year was whenever Supercars were in New Zealand, it’s pretty surreal that I get to be a part of the show finally, let’s make it one to remember!”
