We’re back in action at The Bend, for the penultimate round of the 2020 Virgin Australia Supercars season.
It’s a different track configuration, but there will be three big races across the weekend, before we head the The Mountain for the big one.
The Track
We’ve changed the track up for this weekend, and will now run on the “West” configuration.
At 3.41kms, the West circuit removes the long right handers from last weekend, instead going straight from turn six to the final five corners.
Turn six now becomes a tight hairpin, where carnage is tipped in the early laps.
Tyres
We saw some big tyre degradation due to loads and heat last weekend. Some of that was caused by the right handers over the back of the circuit, which won’t be seen this weekend, however the soft tyre on a high load track will still be something we need to manage.
We will be allocated five sets across the weekend, from the start of qualifying to the end of the weekend.
Format
Saturday starts with two practice sessions, before qualifying, a top-15 shootout, and a 32-lap race.
On Sunday, there will once again be two rapid-fire qualifying sessions in a row that set the grid for the two 32-lap races to round out the weekend.
How to Watch
Every session across the weekend will be live on Fox Sports and Kayo.
Weather
It’s going to be cold, with temperatures in the mid-teens for the weekend, but at this stage, no rain is forecast.
Chaz Mostert
“Excited to be back in action this weekend, and have the opportunity to improve on last weekend.
“We’ve been working hard during the week, the boys have had their heads down, so let’s see what this weekend holds.
“It will be cool to try the new circuit configuration and see what that brings, it’ll be interesting, and a cool way to change it up from last weekend.”
Bryce Fullwood
“It’s exciting to go racing here at The Bend after a pretty successful weekend here last weekend.
“The car was competitive. It’s a different track here this weekend, there will still be a bit of tyre management, and there will probably be a lot more crashing at the hairpin.”
“I’m just excited to go again and a place where the car was strong.”