{"id":616009,"date":"2026-04-18T23:41:21","date_gmt":"2026-04-18T23:41:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/616009\/"},"modified":"2026-04-18T23:41:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T23:41:21","slug":"supercars-news-christchurch-pit-lane-upgrade-on-track-for-2027","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/616009\/","title":{"rendered":"Supercars news: Christchurch pit lane upgrade on track for 2027"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Christchurch
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Supercars pits during qualifying. Image: InSyde Media <\/p>\n

This weekend\u2019s inaugural event \u2013 the first time Supercars has raced on the South Island \u2013 appears a major success with a capacity crowd at the venue on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Supercars signed a three-year deal to race at Ruapuna<\/a>, with owners the Canterbury Car Club having trumpeted a 10-year plan to completely redevelop the facility.<\/a><\/p>\n

The first step was making sure the basic safety standards required for Supercars were met, while the next will include a pit complex that Mauger admits is badly needed.<\/p>\n

Ruapuna\u2019s pit lane currently features a basic carport structure.<\/p>\n


\"\"\/
<\/a><\/p>\n

The cramped working area resulted in Supercars undertaking a last-minute reshuffle of pit bays,<\/a> changing Safety Car procedures<\/a> and banning double stacking to minimise safety risks.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"An<\/p>\n

Erebus conducting pit stop practice in front of the medical centre. Image: InSyde Media<\/p>\n

\u201cThe way I look at it, Supercars has had the faith in us and I want to return the favour,\u201d Mauger told Speedcafe.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got a whole group of like-minded people who have put money in.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe garages are going in for building consent as we speak and I want to work hard to get them up and ready for next year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mauger said that \u201ca fair bit\u201d of the funding required for the garages is already in place.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got the plans and they\u2019re getting priced also as we speak, so I\u2019m pretty confident we\u2019ll get there,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor a start we want to build the garages and then, one day, put corporate boxes on top of it.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is just to get the initial bit, the concrete blocks there, with all the doors and the power to make it work for the teams.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf the teams are happy coming here, that\u2019s half the battle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A render of the proposed pit complex. Image: Supplied<\/p>\n

Christchurch was chosen by the New Zealand Government and Supercars as the category\u2019s South Island home over Tony Quinn\u2019s Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell, Otago.<\/p>\n

The government, which sponsors the event, wants to inject economic stimulus into Christchurch, which has the population and accomodation to make it a success.<\/p>\n

Highlands, however, is already spruiking a campaign called \u2018Project 29\u2019, aiming to snaffle the South Island Supercars round when the Christchurch contract is up.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cTony is a very good businessman, but it\u2019s up to us to stuff it up,\u201d acknowledged Mauger.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got to roll out the red carpet and do everything we can to make sure that it stays here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ruapuna is twinned with Supercars\u2019 North Island event, held at Quinn\u2019s Taupo Motorsport Park, which joined the calendar in 2024.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n


\"\"\/
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