We’re headed North for the NTI Townsville 500, one of the best events on the calendar!
Format
A 500km event means two x 250km races… and fuel stops!
It will be the first time since the opening round at Bathurst that the fuel rigs will be in use, with two compulsory stops during each race. It means strategy and fuel loads come back into play.
Practice starts on Friday, with qualifying, a Top 10 Shootout, and an 88-lap race on both Saturday and Sunday.
The Track
Reid Park is a half street, half purpose built, 2.86km track that sits just outside the Townsville CBD.
In typical street circuit fashion, it is a concrete jungle in parts… any mistake is punished by the concrete barriers that surround the track.
Tyres
We will be split on the hard and SuperSoft Dunlop tyre this weekend. All the lead up running, including qualifying, will be on the hard, with each car given one new set of the SuperSoft per race, to use at any stage they wish.
Townsville is notoriously hard on tyres, especially rears, so there will be a lot more degradation seen in comparison to Darwin, so expect to see some cars fall off the proverbial cliff!
The Stats
Chaz has been on the Townsville podium six times, five of those in his WAU years. Nick was on pole in Townsville in 2020, and has three fourth place finishes to his name.
How to Watch
Channel 7, Fox Sports and Kayo have you covered this weekend wherever you are!
For full broadcast times, CLICK HERE.
Weather
Low to mid-20’s at this stage, with the rain clearing before we get on track.
Nick Percat
“I can’t wait for the NTI Townsville 500, it’s going to be a massive weekend on and off the track.
“I love coming up to Townsville, it’s such a cool event, and having the 250km races back is great.
“We made some good progress in Darwin I think, Grant and I are getting more and more comfortable, so I’m keen to continue that this weekend and get some solid results.”
Chaz Mostert
“Really excited for this one, I love any time we get to race in Queensland, and the NTI Townsville 500 is always an awesome event.
“Townsville has been good to us since I joined WAU with five podiums so far, we’d all love to keep that ball rolling from Darwin and stand on the top step.
“It’s awesome to have some longer races back, and at a street circuit as well. Means more strategy, more for us to think about, and hopefully some cool racing for everyone watching.”