Andre Heimgartner, first winner in Taupo

It was under real downpours that the start of the first race was given in this brand new meeting of the Supercars season. Cameron Waters (Tickford Racing) starts from pole position with Will Brown (Triple Eight) alongside him. Fate strikes once again, for the Monster driver, he is hit by the car of Tim Slade (PremiAir Racing) in distress. Waters still managed to reach the finish line in 8th position. He is angry to see the possibility of victory slipping away from him once again. Will Brown inherits the chair of first leader of the race. The Triple Eight driver is on an impressive podium streak. Since the start of the season, Broc Feeney's new teammate has not finished a race higher than 2nd position. The problems continued at the first corner where several drivers were trapped during the first braking, including Broc Feeney (21st under the checkerboard). 

ALL ANGLES: Lights out and Cam Waters and Tim Slade collide! There's cars everywhere!#RepcoSC #Supercars pic.twitter.com/bXuYYbNACT

— Supercars (@supercars) April 20, 2024

Mostert loses a wheel! 

When the pack is restarted, Brown takes Heimgartner and Chaz Mostert (Walkinshaw Andretti United) in his wake. Brodie Kostecki, for his return to competition, is locked in the peloton in 9th position. During the pit stop, Heimgartner took the lead of the race after a very good stop by his team. He leaves in front of Brow and Mostert. The latter places a very good attack on No. 87 to gain second place. The top 5 of the race is made up of Heimgartner, Mostert, Brown Davison and Ryan Wood (Walkinshaw Andretti United). Brown is in great difficulty and is falling in the rankings. He signed his worst result of the season with a final 9th ​​place. At the front of the race, Heimgartner still leads Mostert and Davison, whose Mustangs have found form in these wet track conditions. As we approach the halfway point, Mostert is still hot on the heels of the leader, the race is very close between the two men. They do not leave each other during the second pit stop. Unfortunately for Mostert when he left the right rear wheel of his Mustang was not tightened sufficiently. He must return to the pits and see the satisfaction of an excellent result disappear. 

Heartbreak for Mostert 😨

Follow the live session here https://t.co/qyu6AAgclo
#RepcoSC #Supercars pic.twitter.com/yBUeLIkQk9

— Supercars (@supercars) April 20, 2024

The end of the race will no longer be disrupted despite the conditions still being dire and a track drowned in the flood. Heimgartner wins ahead of Davison and Pasquale. Kostecki joined the finish in 15th position. In the championship standings, Will Brown is still in the lead 59 points ahead of his teammate Broc Feeney. Supercars returns next night with races 2 and 3 of the weekend on the beautiful Taupo circuit.       

Taupo - race 1 results