IT’S the morning where you learn not to trust anything you read, all in the name of a laugh.
Every year, many in the motorsport industry get in on the act for April Fool’s – and 2026 was no exception.
Leading the charge were two Supercars teams known for their social media antics.
Tickford Racing goes back to the well
Twelve months on from releasing imagery of the New Zealand-bound container carrying its Mustang Supercars ending up overboard in the Tasman Sea, teams’ championship leaders Tickford opted to double down on a proven subject.
This time, CEO Simon Brookhouse was left to handle crisis communications, informing fans via a video that Cam Waters and Thomas Randle’s Fords would likely miss Taupō due to “a language barrier issue”.
Enter logistics manager Ben Milton, who stars in an exchange with a foreign freight operator whose thick accent causes a mix-up whereby cars were shipped to Oakland in the US rather than Auckland in NZ.
“It’s going to take some time, I would suspect. There’s a lot of ocean between Auckland and Oakland as we speak,” Brookhouse surmises.
Such a shame when Tickford were off to a flyer, too…
Blanchard Racing Team bosses senses his moment
A remarkable uptick in BRT’s form in 2026 clearly has team boss Tim Blanchard excited, to the point where it’s an inspired a comeback behind the wheel.
His Adelaide wildcard announcement is complete with a video backed by rather dramatic music, and the icing on the cake is the various jabs landed including by a self-deprecating Blanchard who tallied 187 main game races for a best result of sixth.
“Looking at the results the last few years with JC (James Courtney) getting a podium and him being a little bit older than me, I still think I have got a little bit left in me and now’s the time to show what I can truly do,” said Blanchard.
BRT regular Aaron Cameron has a stellar cameo too, displaying his surprise at Blanchard giving the wildcard to himself and struggling to conceal some sarcasm.
A triple treat for New Zealand tracks
Pic: Taupō International Motorsport Park Facebook
Tony Quinn’s trio of New Zealand circuits have had a field day.
Highlands opened the batting with a shock announcement that gold had been discovered at the venue, leading Quinn to strike a lucrative deal to close the track in favour of partnering with musician Santana in a mining project.
Meanwhile, on the North Island, construction works were announced to start simultaneously on April 26 at Taupō and Hampton Downs.
The brainwave at Taupō was to construct a gigantic roof to cover the entire circuit (because who likes wet-weather racing anyway, right?) while a McDonald’s-centric initiative was launched for Hampton Downs.
The ‘McHamptons’ menu of course features TQ McNuggets and Spillane Sweet & Sour Sauce.
Pic: Hampton Downs Facebook
Mallala’s ‘new’ addition
Enough of the fancy official course vehicles. Mallala Motorsport Park has made the timely decision to debut a state-of-the-art Toyota Lexcen as its Pace Car….
Pic: Mallala Motorsport Park Facebook
Answers to the fuel crisis
Improved Production in NSW is clearly all for proactivity, judging by the sudden debut of a new electric vehicle class and rejigged race distances announced in response to the global fuel crisis.
The new class was aptly named NEV-R (New EV – Race).
Not to be outdone, Karting NSW announced the trial of a sustainability round where competitors are to do away with engines altogether in favour of ‘pushers’.
It’s amazing how all these revolutionary ideas come out of the woodworks on the same day!
The Undercut – Breaking down the big 2026 issues!
The Undercut is back for 2026, with Aaron Noonan once again joined by Jack Perkins and James Moffat, breaking down a massive start to the new motorsport season!