Only three stops remain in the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship with two of those rounds part of the Pirtek Enduro Cup. This weekend the endurance racing continues with the Vodafone Gold Coast 600.
Since last time
Bathurst records tumble
More than 200,000 passionate motor sport fans went through the gates of the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 earlier this month, but it was the ones at home that set a remarkable record.
Throughout the weekend, more than 2 million viewers tuned in to the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 on both Channel 10 and Fox Sports, making the 2019 edition the most-watched Supercars race in history.
The eyeballs watching on Fox Sports’ own broadcast saw it become the 17th most viewed broadcast on subscription television of all time.
DJR penalised
Scott McLaughlin came away with a memorable win, but the talking point of one of the biggest races of the year was focused on his team, DJR Team Penske. After a post-race stewards hearing, DJR Team Penske were handed a post-race penalty, along with driver Fabian Coulthard, after it was ruled they had breached the FIA International Sporting Code Appendix B.
Coulthard was demoted to last place for the great race and the team lost 300 Championship points, as well as being handed a fine of $250,000 - $100,000 of which was suspended.
Farewell old friend
After more than 20 years in Supercars, Garry Rogers Motorsport announced it would not be returning to the Championship in season 2020 and beyond.
It’s been a memorable period for the team that started in 1996, which included a Bathurst 1000 win in 2000 and a successful and innovative Volvo Program in 2014-2016, as well as giving the likes of Jamie Whincup and Scott McLaughlin a start, which has been a big part of their decorated careers.
Upscaling and Downsizing
While the GRM news has taken the majority of headlines regarding the 2020 season, a number of other teams have been announcing their plans for next year.
At the top of this list is Kelly Racing, who will downsize their four-car program to just two Ford Mustangs with Rick Kelly himself to be behind the wheel of the Castrol backed vehicle.
As Kelly Racing halves its fleet, Team 18 double theirs with the Victorian outfit announcing a second entry for 2020.
The new car will join the Mark Winterbottom driven Commodore, however the team’s second driver is yet to be announced.
The Championship
Scott McLaughlin’s maiden win on Australia’s biggest stage saw him increase his lead over the rest of the competition, with the Kiwi having one hand on the Championship prize and edging closer to back-to-back titles.
With only three stops to go, van Gisbergen is once again the driver in the best position to steal the crown from McLaughlin, although it’s going to require somewhat of a miracle and some serious bad luck to the current leader for him to grab the title.
Championship Top 10
1 Scott McLaughlin 3308 points
2 Shane van Gisbergen 2686
3 Chaz Mostert 2447
4 Fabian Coulthard 2401
5 Jamie Whincup 2380
6 David Reynolds 2306
7 Cameron Waters 2065
8 Nick Percat 2020
9 Will Davison 1967
10 Lee Holdsworth 1872
This round last year
Race 1:
Pole: Scott McLaughlin/Alex Premat
Winner: Chaz Mostert/ James Moffat
Runner Up: Craig Lowndes/ Steve Richards
Third: James Courtney/ Jack Perkins
Race 2
Race abandoned due to severe weather
The Grid
#2 Holden ZB - Scott Pye/ Warren Luff
#3 Nissan Altima - Garry Jacobson/ Dean Fiore
#5 Ford Mustang - Lee Holdsworth/ Thomas Randle
#6 Ford Mustang - Cameron Waters/ Michael Caruso
#7 Nissan Altima - Andre Heimgartner/ Bryce Fullwood
#8 Holden ZB - Nick Percat/ Tim Blanchard
#9 Holden ZB - David Reynolds/ Luke Youlden
#12 Ford Mustang – Fabian Coulthard/ Tony D'Alberto
#14 Holden ZB - Tim Slade/ Ash Walsh
#15 Nissan Altima - Rick Kelly/ Dale Wood
#17 Ford Mustang - Scott McLaughlin/ Alex Premat
#18 Holden ZB - Mark Winterbottom/ Steve Richards
#19 Holden ZB - Jack Le Brocq/ Jonathon Webb
#21 Holden ZB - Macauley Jones/ Dean Canto
#22 Holden ZB - James Courtney/ Jack Perkins
#23 Ford GT - Will Davison/ Alex Davison
#27 Holden ZB – Alexander Rossi/James Hinchcliffe*
#33 Holden ZB – Richie Stanaway/Christ Pither
#34 Holden ZB - James Golding/Richard Muscat
#35 Holden ZB - Todd Hazelwood/ Jack Smith
#55 Ford Mustang - Chaz Mostert/ James Moffat
#56 Holden ZB - Brodie Kostecki/ Jake Kostecki
#78 Nissan Altima - Simona De Silvestro/ Alex Rullo
#97 Holden ZB - Shane van Gisbergen/ Garth Tander
#99 Holden ZB - Anton De Pasquale / Will Brown
#888 Holden ZB - Jamie Whincup/Craig Lowndes
The Support Categories
Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia
ECB SuperUtes Series
Aussie Racing Cars
CAMS Australian GT Championship
Supercars’ Schedule
Friday 25 October
11:15 – 11:45 Practice 1
14:45 – 15:15 Practice 2
17:45 – 18:15 Practice 3
Saturday 26 October
10:40 – 11:00 05 ARMOR ALL Qualifying – Race 26
12:30 – 12:55 ARMOR ALL Top 10 Shootout – Race 26
16:00 – 18:20 Race 26
Sunday 27 October
10.55 – 11.15 ARMOR ALL Qualifying – Race 27
12:50 – 13:15 ARMOR ALL Top 10 Shootout – Race 27
16:00 - 18:30 Race 27
(All times listed are QLD local times (AEST))