We are back for enduro season, something we look forward to all year, with Lee Holdsworth and Fabian Coulthard back again, paired with Chaz Mostert and Ryan Wood.
The crew have been busy since Tasmania with test days and plenty of driver change practice to make sure we are endurance season prepared!
It’s a big weekend for the team with all three categories competing across Supercars, Super2 and the Toyota GR Cup.
Format
It’s a jam packed three days on track which sees Friday as Practice Day, with three 30-minute on track sessions: Practice 1 and 3 with all drivers and Practice 2 with co-drivers.
Saturday starts off with the final practice session for all drivers before a 20-minute qualifying session that determines 11th – 26th on the grid, with a Top 10 shootout to round out the day.
Sunday is the big day, with a 20-minute warm-up in the morning before lights go out at 2.05pm AEST for the 500km, 161 lap Race 19.
The Track
Built in the early 1960’s, it is one of the most historic circuits on the calendar, draped with history.
It’s a short lap, at 3.1kms, but filled with action in the 13-corners that wrap around the horse racing track in the middle. The best passing opportunity is into turn 1 and 10, the heavy braking zones.
Drivers
Fabian Coulthard is back for another endurance season with the team, this time paired with Ryan, with both drivers residing from New Zealand, they will be proudly waving the NZ flag across enduro season.
Lee Holdsworth and Chaz Mostert are back together for their third enduro season, they are itching more than ever for success after falling short of a podium at Bathurst in 2023 finishing up P4.
Tyres
We are back on the Dunlop SuperSoft this weekend.
Pitstops
There are no compulsory pit stop requirements. So how much fuel you take, and when, will be the big question, it all depends on strategy.
It will be all go during pitstops, with a tight pit lane, the spike will be on the fast lane due to the driver change happening on the inside, leaving minimal room for error.
With the fuel load time having dropped, the pressure rises on the driver change as the fuel drop time only just covers a quick driver change... one small issue in a driver change and that can make or break the race.
Weather
It’s going to be a cold one with a chance of rain across the weekend which could throw a curve-ball at things!
How to Watch
Fox Sports and Kayo will have you covered for every session live across the weekend. For the Kiwi fans Sky Sports will cover all of the on-track action.
For the full TV guide, please CLICK HERE.
Ryan Wood
“I’ve been looking forward to endurance season all year, last year at Sandown I had a lot of success in Super2 so hopefully that helps this weekend, but I know it’s still going to be a challenge!
“Having Fabs alongside me for enduro season is really exciting, he is one of the best co-drivers in the field and we get along well, he’s been a great support system this year!”
Fabian Coulthard
“It’s great to be back with the WAU team this year, we have a lot of fun together, it’s great to be paired up Ryan!
“We have made a lot of progress at the test days across the year, the car has been really fun to drive so I’m looking forward to getting back out there!”
Chaz Mostert
“We have my mate Leeroy back in the seat this enduro season, we know he carries me most of the time, so I look forward to putting my feet up.
“It’s the best time of year to be a driver, and to be a fan, so I just can’t wait to kick it off, hopefully have a really strong weekend and build a nice base before we head to The Mountain.”
Lee Holdsworth
“It’s awesome to be back with WAU alongside Chaz, it’s like Christmas for us co-drivers.
“We had an awesome test day last week, I feel really comfortable and confident in the car, and we’ve got a heap of sessions across Friday and Saturday which is nice. I’m just pumped, can’t wait for the next couple of rounds.”