Welcome Back to Sydney, Again

WELCOME BACK TO SYDNEY

AGAIN

HERE we go again – we’re back at Sydney Motorsport Park for the fifth event in the last six rounds, but don’t fret - there are some curveballs thrown into the mix to start off the new season.

Firstly – the format – with the typical season-opening 500kms of racing extended out to 600km, with a 300km race on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.

Next – tyres – teams will be provided with seven sets of soft tyres, and two sets of Dunlop super softs, with only one of the extra-spongey sets allowed to be used in each race.

The super soft compound tyres are expected to have a practical working life of just 14 circuits, and with a 77 lap scheduled duration, team strategists will have to be on the ball.

Also, teams will have to be on their toes with the weather, as witnessed in a couple of races last year, notably with the final race of the four week run at the venue curtailed thanks to the sodden conditions.

While the bulk of competitors are by now very much familiar with the circuit, there will still be a pair of 40-minute long practice sessions for the new combinations to familiarise themselves with each other. The grid for each race will be set by standalone 15 minute qualifying sessions and a top ten shoot-out each.

Elsewhere, this weekend’s Sydney Motorsport Park event will feature a bumper 33-car field for Super2 and Super3 cars, with added sideshows being provided by the Touring Car Masters, Aussie Racing Cars, and the Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia 86 Series. Also, for fans track side, autograph sessions return alongside pit lane walks, with the Supercars paddock open once again to spectators, with Saturday night’s festivities capped by a concert served up by Hot Dub Time Machine.

Want more? There will also be a Summernats style power slide exhibition on track, for those who are into their high horsepower hi-jinxes.

Vital Stats

249

Although he only started 14 races at SMP, Marcos Ambrose remains the venue’s alltime lap leader.

69 Previous Championship races at SMP dating back to 1992.

41

Previous race starts for Mark Winterbottom at SMP – he should pass Craig Lowndes’ mark of 42 to be the all-time leader at the venue this weekend.

10

Pole positions for Scott McLaughlin at SMP, a record, with Anton de Pasquale second on seven.

10 Wins by Mark Skaife, a record, with Shane Van Gisbergen third on seven.

6 Will Brown’s average finish at SMP, third alltime behind Ambrose and Lowndes.

0 SMP Supercars starts for Broc Feeney, the only Championship rookie to the venue.