The Red Bull Ampol Racing team has concluded a thrilling New Zealand double-header with significant hardware and high-octane drama. Broc Feeney secured the prestigious JR Memorial Trophy following a consistent podium performance, while teammate Will Brown found himself sidelined in a chaotic late-race incident that has shaken up the Supercars paddock. As the championship heads back across the Tasman, the weekend at Taupo and Christchurch proved to be a pivotal moment for the leading teams’ standings.
Feeney Dominates Consistency to Secure JR Memorial Trophy
Broc Feeney’s performance across the New Zealand leg was a masterclass in tactical racing and consistency. Entering the final races with a clear goal, Feeney showcased remarkable pace during the qualifying sessions and translated that into crucial championship points.
His weekend statistics highlight a steady progression:
- Race 3: Qualified 6th, finished on the podium in 2nd place.
- Race 4: Qualified 4th, advanced through the Top Ten Shoot Out to secure 5th, and ultimately claimed 3rd in the final standings.
“It’s been an amazing couple of weeks over here in NZ,” Feeney remarked after the podium ceremony. His ability to navigate the technical challenges of the New Zealand circuits ensured he walked away with the JR Memorial Trophy, a testament to his rising status within the Red Bull Ampol Racing stable.
Chaos at the Finish: Brown Caught in Mostert-Kostecki Clash
While Feeney celebrated, the mood on the other side of the garage was more frustrated. Will Brown, who has been a frontrunner throughout the early season, saw his race compromised by an incident labeled as “reckless” by spectators and officials alike.
In the closing laps of the final race, a fierce battle between Chaz Mostert and Brodie Kostecki reached a breaking point. The resulting contact between the two leaders created a bottleneck that swept up trailing cars, including Brown. The incident denied Brown a potential top-five finish and forced the team to manage a damaged car through the final flag. Despite the setback, Brown’s earlier results in the season—including a strong showing in Sydney—keep him within striking distance of the title.
Technical Preparation and Weather Challenges
The New Zealand leg was not without its environmental hurdles. Earlier in the month, technical director Peter Ringwood highlighted the drastic shift in track conditions compared to Sydney and Melbourne. The team had to adapt the Chevrolet Camaro’s setup to handle the unique abrasive surface of Taupo and the high-speed requirements of Ruapuna.
Furthermore, the weather played a decisive role. The Taupo weekend was significantly shortened due to the impact of Cyclone Vaianu, leading to the cancellation of Race 3 qualifying and the race itself. This forced teams to rely heavily on data from limited practice sessions, placing a premium on the expertise of Team Manager Mark Dutton and the technical crew to ensure the cars remained competitive under unpredictable conditions.
Looking Ahead to the Teams Championship
Despite the late-race drama in Christchurch, Red Bull Ampol Racing remains at the summit of the Teams Championship. The dual podiums from Feeney and the salvageable points from Brown have maintained the team’s momentum as they transition to the next phase of the 2026 season.
The team now looks toward Ruapuna with a mix of confidence and caution. With the JR Memorial Trophy in their trophy cabinet, the focus shifts entirely to refining the aerodynamic package of the Gen3 cars to counter the aggressive challenges posed by rival teams like Walkinshaw Andretti United and Erebus Motorsport.
Conclusion
The New Zealand double-header provided a definitive look at the current hierarchy of Supercars. Broc Feeney’s clinical drive to secure the JR Memorial Trophy solidifies him as a title favorite, while the incident involving Will Brown serves as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in sprint racing. As the dust settles on a “reckless” final lap, the championship battle is more intense than ever.
What are your thoughts on the Mostert and Kostecki incident? Did the stewards make the right call, or was it just hard racing? Share your opinions in the comments below and stay tuned for more Supercars reviews.
References
- Red Bull Ampol Racing. (2026). Feeney Podium Finish Secures JR Memorial Trophy.
- Supercars Official Media. (2026). Championship Standings and Race Results.
- Ringwood, P. (2026). Technical Insights: Taupo vs. Melbourne Track Conditions.