With much awaited anticipation and excitement, the weekend of 18^th- 20^th July finally arrived for 43 drivers to compete in the 2025 NZ SuperKart Nationals, held at Mighty Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon.

And what a weekend it was. Friday practice dawned crisp, but fine. The track never developed any sort of temperature all day, but drivers welcomed the plentiful amount of track time available to them. It was time to shred some rubber and to blow out all the cobwebs formed since SKDC's last club meeting, held at twisty Taupo raceway in early May.

Race day Saturday consisted of 2 more practice runs, followed by qualifying and the first race. Another nippy morning, fine but not too much sun to speak of.

The day run super smooth with all drivers qualifying, and the classes of Rotax Light and Heavy and Rotax DD2 Light and Heavy completing their first race.  

However, as the gearbox classes of International and KZ2 rolled up to the dummy grid for their first race a few scattered rain drops fell. Moments later a few more and then you guessed it, it rained. Drivers, crews and helpers sprung into a frenzy with everyone trying to swap out slicks for wets within the 5-minute time allocation. It was totally manic.  After the 5-minute call the karts were flagged away from the dummy grid with several missing in action. Those left behind managed to pull on wet gloves, clear visors and jump into wet seats. Helper's push started the karts and with determination each kart did catch the field just before the race start. By now the rain was definitely saying "I’m here, hahaha”.  Volumes of water spray were being shot skywards by the field of karts with vision reduced to only a couple of meters. Two laps later the red flag was shown as the rain really gained momentum, coming down in torrential fashion. With wet clothing, helmet linings, gloves, boots and waterlogged engine air boxes, everyone was glad to call it a day. After grabbing some very nice club BBQ burgers, a drink and attending with interest the SKDC fund raising auction, it was time to head home for a well-earned dry out and rest.

Sunday morning and the rain was gone, but it was still freezing cold and overcast.

The gearbox classes were first up with a rerun of race 1 followed by 3 more races. It was a busy day for International and KZ2 drivers. The Rotax drivers had a slightly easier day just completing their 3 remaining races.

The closeness of the competition within all classes and the display of driving skill made for a spectacular weekend. Such was the scrap for the NZ crown in Rotax Light that count back was required when the first three placed drivers all finished on 5 points each. Count back was again required for KZ2 class when 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th all finished on 10 points, and for 4^th and 5^th in class DD2 light, both drivers on 11 points.

Race Results

DD2 Light

1. Dylan Bryant

2. Daniel Mayall

3. Max Donnelly

4. Steven Krugel

5. Clint Fell

6. Haylee McBride

7. Craig Cook

8. Paige Taylor

9. Christopher Coleman, 1^st Master

10. Brooke Taylor

DD2 Heavy

1. Craig Rowe, 1^st Master

2. Kevin Geard, 1^st Legend

3. Cameron Dennis

4. Bronson Porter

5. Chris Mirams, 2^nd Master

6. Shane Comer, 3^rd Master

International

1. Andrew Hall, 1^st Legend

2. Matt McBride

3. Kim Stevens

4. Teddy Bassick

5. Carl Hanson

6. Tony Bowden

KZ2

1. Mitch Frazer

2. Peter Dicks, 1^st Master

3. Zane Hills

4. Daryl Currie, 2^nd Master

5. Todd Jolly

6. David Cox, 3^rd Master

7. Chris Benton

Rotax Light

1. Tyler Edney

2. Logan Boyde

3. Chris Benton

4. Joseph Peirce

5. Jason Butterworth

6. Emerson Lark

7. James Barnett

Rotax Heavy

1. Daniel Shaw

2. Grant Withers, 1^st Master

3. Byran Withers, 2^nd Master

4. Shannon Noble

5. Teddy Bassick

6. Tyler Williams

7. Aaron Lower, 3^rd Master

SKDC thanks their sponsors, committee members, Kartsport NZ, KartSport officials and all the amazing volunteers for their help with the 2025 NZ SuperKart Nationals meeting.

SKDC sponsors are super important. They provide the trophies and add funds to the club bank account. This allows the club to provide meetings to drivers at the lowest possible price, so that the passion we all have in SuperKarting can continue. Thank you very much to the sponsors listed below.

Sponsors of the 2025 NZ SuperKart Nationals were:

Higgins Concrete

Commercial Sprayers Sponsor to class Rotax Max Heavy

Camden IT Sponsor to class DD2 Heavy

NAPA Auto parts Sponsor to class KZ2 and Class International

Manawatu Concrete Pumps Sponsor to class Rotax Max Light

Auto Super Shoppe New Plymouth Sponsor to GP Trophies

Professional tyres

Hanson Fleet Services

BM Fabrications

NDL Engineering

Repco

Lifestyle Mowers and Machinery

TWL

APL Window Solutions Sponsor to class DD2 Lights

Article added: Tuesday 12 August 2025