We are headed to Launceston this weekend for the Tasmania SuperSprint, Round 4 of the 2023 Supercars Championship.
24-months ago Chaz Mostert won the final race of the weekend at this track, marking his first with WAU. We’re hoping that repeats!
It’s a milestone weekend for Nick Percat as he celebrates his 300th race start on Sunday.
Format
It’s a compact weekend, with Saturday morning starting the weekend off with two practice sessions before the three-part knockout qualifying session and a 42-lap race where lights will go out in the afternoon.
Sunday sees Chaz and Nick roll into two back-to-back qualifying sessions that set the grid for the two 42-lap races on Sunday afternoon to round out the weekend.
Tyres
We are on the Dunlop SuperSoft Tyre for all three SuperSprint races this weekend.
The Track
Symmons Plains is a unique track. It’s only 2.41kms long, so the lap times are regularly in the low 50 second barrier. The field spread is small as well, with most cars, if not all, within a second of each other in qualifying.
The turn-four hairpin is one of the most well-known corners in Australian motorsport. It requires near-on full lock to get around and is the slowest corner we go to all season.
The top of the track slopes down to the apex, so it’s a great passing opportunity, but also the chance to hang around the outside and drag the inside car down the back straight.
Pitstops
As this weekend consists of three SuperSprint races there is no refueling required.
With the SuperSprint format there is a minimum of one pitstop per race with the option to take two, three or four tyres, depending on race strategy.
Weather
It’s looking chilly this weekend, but there is no rain on the forecast.
How to Watch
Every session, every lap will be live on Foxtel and Kayo throughout the weekend.
Chaz Mostert
“I’m really pumped for this weekend, I love Tassie, there is always a great turnout from the fans and they are really passionate.
“I’ve got some good memories at Symmons Plains, I had my first race win there so WAU so hopefully that brings us some luck.
“With the two-day format, it’s important to be on the money early during the two practice sessions on Saturday morning.”
Nick Percat
“Tassie proves another challenge, it’s another different track for us to learn at in these cars, so it’s going to be interesting.
“Back to a two-day format means its going to be on, haven’t had a two-day format in a while so we’ve gotta make sure we roll out well on Saturday morning.
“Love getting down to Tassie, the fans down there are awesome, it’s pretty special to have my 300th race start at such a well-supported event.”