174 replies to this topic

[Alfisti]

The annual call to grab a 6 pack, a few bags of munchies and settle in for 6 hours of tin top racing with proper engines. 

 

When: As ever, finding the actual start time is monumentally difficult but here it is https://www.v8sleuth...event-schedule/

 

How?: Sign up for superview for $10 then cancel https://www.supercars.com/superview . A good deal for 6 hours and no ads. 

 

First Bathurst of the ugly Gen 3 era, GM has really caught Ford off guard this year and appear heaps quicker, to the point where parity arguments are killing the season. On paper we still have 4 drivers who can take the title. I am not sure how much longer this category will survive before it goes GT3 but damn the cars are lovely dinosaurs with not a lot fo downforce and a proper naturally aspirated V8 like baby jesus intended. 

[Alfisti]

Just read through the past three years and a common theme is the second driver, their stints have been critical with many a long, long way off the pace and effectively losing the race for their partner. Moffat last year was just awful, absolutely awful. So in saying that, here is the line up............

 

Drivers Team (Sponsors) Car No. Drivers Team (Sponsors) Car

2 Australia Nick Percat

New Zealand Fabian Coulthard Walkinshaw Andretti United

(Mobil 1, NTI Insurance) Ford Mustang Mk.7 23 Australia Tim Slade

Australia Jonathon Webb PremiAir Racing

(Movember) Chevrolet Camaro Mk.6

3 Australia Todd Hazelwood

Australia Tim Blanchard Blanchard Racing Team

(CoolDrive) Ford Mustang Mk.7 25 Australia Chaz Mostert

Australia Lee Holdsworth Walkinshaw Andretti United

(Mobil 1, Optus) Ford Mustang Mk.7

4 Australia Jack Smith

New Zealand Jaxon Evans Brad Jones Racing

(SCT Logistics) Chevrolet Camaro Mk.6 26 Australia David Reynolds

Australia Garth Tander Grove Racing

(Penrite) Ford Mustang Mk.7

5 Australia James Courtney

Australia Zak Best Tickford Racing

(Snowy River Caravans) Ford Mustang Mk.7 31 Australia James Golding

Australia Dylan O'Keeffe PremiAir Racing

(Nulon) Chevrolet Camaro Mk.6

6 Australia Cameron Waters

Australia James Moffat Tickford Racing

(Monster Energy) Ford Mustang Mk.7 34 Australia Jack Le Brocq

Australia Jayden Ojeda Matt Stone Racing

(Truck Assist) Chevrolet Camaro Mk.6

7 Australia Jake Kostecki

Australia Aaron Love Blanchard Racing Team

(Petronas Syntium) Ford Mustang Mk.7 35 Australia Cameron Hill

Australia Jaylyn Robotham Matt Stone Racing

(Truck Assist) Chevrolet Camaro Mk.6

8 New Zealand Andre Heimgartner

Australia Dale Wood Brad Jones Racing

(R&J Batteries) Chevrolet Camaro Mk.6 55 Australia Thomas Randle

Australia Garry Jacobson Tickford Racing

(Castrol, BP) Ford Mustang Mk.7

9 Australia Will Brown

Australia Jack Perkins Erebus Motorsport

(Coca-Cola) Chevrolet Camaro Mk.6 56 Australia Declan Fraser

Australia Tyler Everingham Tickford Racing

(Tradie Beer) Ford Mustang Mk.7

11 Australia Anton de Pasquale

Australia Tony D'Alberto Dick Johnson Racing

(Shell V-Power) Ford Mustang Mk.7 88 Australia Broc Feeney

Australia Jamie Whincup Triple Eight Race Engineering

(Red Bull, Ampol) Chevrolet Camaro Mk.6

14 Australia Bryce Fullwood

Australia Dean Fiore Brad Jones Racing

(Middy's Electrical) Chevrolet Camaro Mk.6 96 Australia Macauley Jones

Australia Jordan Boys Brad Jones Racing

(Pizza Hut) Chevrolet Camaro Mk.6

17 Australia Will Davison

Australia Alex Davison Dick Johnson Racing

(Shell V-Power) Ford Mustang Mk.7 97 New Zealand Shane van Gisbergen

New Zealand Richie Stanaway Triple Eight Race Engineering

(Red Bull, Ampol) Chevrolet Camaro Mk.6

18 Australia Mark Winterbottom

Australia Michael Caruso Team 18

(DeWalt) Chevrolet Camaro Mk.6 98 Australia Kai Allen

Switzerland Simona de Silvestro Dick Johnson Racing

(Shell V-Power) Ford Mustang Mk.7

19 New Zealand Matthew Payne

France Kévin Estre Grove Racing

(Penrite) Ford Mustang Mk.7 99 Australia Brodie Kostecki

Australia David Russell Erebus Motorsport

(Coca-Cola) Chevrolet Camaro Mk.6

20 Australia Scott Pye

Australia Warren Luff Team 18

(Toyota Forklifts) Chevrolet Camaro Mk.6 888 Australia Zane Goddard

Australia Craig Lowndes Triple Eight Race Engineering

 

(Supercheap Auto) Chevrolet Camaro Mk.6

[Victor_RO]

Alarm set for 2:40 am on Sunday (green flag in my timezone is 3:15 am). 6-pack of beer will once again be discarded in favour of a large mug of coffee. My body is ready as ever. 

[HuddersfieldTerrier1986]

For reference the race is live on TNT Sports in the UK.

Also for the race weekend the weather is basically set fair, with an absolutely minimal chance of rain

Edited by HuddersfieldTerrier1986, 04 October 2023 - 18:25.

[Zippel]

Also for the race weekend the weather is basically set fair, with an absolutely minimal chance of rain

 

That's disappointing.

[Alfisti]

For reference the race is live on TNT Sports in the UK.

Also for the race weekend the weather is basically set fair, with an absolutely minimal chance of rain

So it'll piss down. 

 

Jokes aside, after 3 years of relentless rain, Australia has entered an elnino year so very, very hot and very dry. Suburbs of sydney were nudging 40 this week and spring has barely started. 

Edited by Alfisti, 04 October 2023 - 21:03.

[jonpollak]

For reference the race is live on TNT Sports in the UK.

Also for the race weekend the weather is basically set fair, with an absolutely minimal chance of rain

AWESOME !!
That means Discovery+ will have the whole thing on VOD !!!
Win !!

Jp

[Daniel Lester]

Funnily enough Bathurst had 40mm of rain overnight (last night), but the weather will clear by the weekend. With safety cars and a mandatory number of pit stops and the co-driver requirements, I find that most Bathurst's play out a bit the same these days - despite the race length. 

[southernstars]

First Dunlop car had to be fished out of the tyres at Forest Elbow. Traditions.

[AustinF1]

Just fyi for US  viewers, a Sunday 11:15 am start in Bathurst = 7:15 pm US CDT Saturday, afaik. MavTV has been carrying some Supercars stuff lately, but the only upcoming V8SC content I see listed there is Saturday at 4PM CDT, so I have no idea what that is.

[paulb]

Thanks, Alfisti, for the reminder!

 

.. redacted for stupidity.

Edited by paulb, 06 October 2023 - 11:57.

[southernstars]

Sport Sedans practice has been a bit wild.

[GreenMachine]

A lot of Roos basking in the sun at the Mt Panorama sign - which is on the infield.

 

How did they get there?  I thought there had been a lot of effort put into fencing to keep them out?

 

That will be no fun in a dark B12hr start, at least the Thupercars can see them .... 

Edited by GreenMachine, 05 October 2023 - 00:30.

[Wuzak]

Sport Sedans practice has been a bit wild.

 

What sort of lap times are they posting?

 

Is there a minimum lap time they can do, like they have for the combined sedans support race for the 12h?

[southernstars]

What sort of lap times are they posting?

 

Is there a minimum lap time they can do, like they have for the combined sedans support race for the 12h?

 

In the 1:30s, I think (I had it on in the background while I was working). I don't think they have a minimum time.

[krapmeister]

Looking forward to watching the race again this weekend, but have to say all this parity bullish!t has left me completely disinterested in the series itself this season.

[southernstars]

Lowndesy hasn't lost a lick of speed.

Wonder if it would be permitted for Triple Eight to enter a wildcard car and have a Whincup/Lowndes pairing again, since neither are main game anymore?

[Wuzak]

In the 1:30s, I think (I had it on in the background while I was working). I don't think they have a minimum time.

 

High 1:50s?

 

1:30s would be F1 type lap times.

[southernstars]

High 1:50s?

1:30s would be F1 type lap times.

Oof, that is quite the typo, isn't it?

I will confirm at the next session, since apparently my brain is a lot distracted.

Kostecki currently fastest with close to a 2:06 flat.

[southernstars]

Need to tell Masterton that having your car looking like Frankenstein and covered in race tape on Thursday probably isn't great for your race prospects!

[Victor_RO]

Funnily enough Bathurst had 40mm of rain overnight (last night), but the weather will clear by the weekend. With safety cars and a mandatory number of pit stops and the co-driver requirements, I find that most Bathurst's play out a bit the same these days - despite the race length. 

 

Rule about mandatory number of pitstops has been dropped this year, IIRC was the same at Sandown.

[southernstars]

High 1:50s?

1:30s would be F1 type lap times.

Current pole time is 2:02:5 from Caruso.

[southernstars]

Goddard looking far better in this afternoon's session than he did at Sandown, where Lowndes did all of the heavy lifting. That's promising. Would love to see Lowndsey make it 8.

[jonpollak]

Jp

Edited by jonpollak, 06 October 2023 - 00:13.

[southernstars]

Impressive lap from Payne right at the end of the session.

Sports sedans under safety car. Corvette beached at Hell Corner. They dragged it out but it's not moving.

[Alfisti]

Man, Waters kept moffat eh... gee i'd thought he would look elsewhere.

[southernstars]

Man, Waters kept moffat eh... gee i'd thought he would look elsewhere.

I mean, Luff still gets a run...

Another beach at T1, so the clock will run out. I think the sedans got all of three racing laps in.

[southernstars]

Porsche race about to start aaaaand someone's on the grass already

[southernstars]

Seems to have been quite some issues with stalled cars on the grid this weekend. Porsche had one and now one of the Super2 cars. Got clear eventally though.

[Lee Nicolle]

What sort of lap times are they posting?

 

Is there a minimum lap time they can do, like they have for the combined sedans support race for the 12h?

2.02.5 for Jordan Caruso in the John Gourlay Audi. So about 3 sec faster than the stockcars. Level 2 so far are faster than level one as well.

[Lee Nicolle]

Current pole time is 2:02:5 from Caruso.

The thing is Stupidcars get hours of practice,, Sports sedans get a couple of 20 min sessions so some of these cars would be under 2 min if they could get an uninterrupted run.

And having raced Sports Sedans at the national level the interest in them from officialdom is zero,, they take your money and give you stuff all.

[southernstars]

Qualifying is done, and the top ten shootout looks like this:

 

Kostecki, Golding, de Pasquale, Waters, Feeny, Reynolds, van Gisbergen, Payne, Mostert, Davison.

 

Not sure what the strategy of the Triple Eight wildcard team was. No point leaving Lowndes in the pocket for the Shootout if you don't make the shootout.

[Lee Nicolle]

There would be no Sports Sedans left to race if they had 'hours of practice'. The things struggle to last their races as it is.

 

As for their lap times, you're comparing a strictly controlled 'one-make' series (with two body kit and engine options) with a class who's technical regs would fit on a sheet of toilet paper. Pointless comparison.

At a 'normal' championship meeting at a 'normal' track they seem to last ok. Sure some break, they are low buck cars. But so do some of these cars with mega buck budgets. Or go join the scenery.

As for Stupidcars rules it is evidently 800 pages and growing daily.That from the telecast this arvo.

[Clrnc]

Can anyone stop Kostecki? 

[Alfisti]

It's a weird year, almost a transition year as the traditional teams fade out a little. 

[southernstars]

Can anyone stop Kostecki?

The Mountain can.

[Wuzak]

There would be no Sports Sedans left to race if they had 'hours of practice'. The things struggle to last their races as it is.

 

As for their lap times, you're comparing a strictly controlled 'one-make' series (with two body kit and engine options) with a class who's technical regs would fit on a sheet of toilet paper. Pointless comparison.

 

It is the first time they've run the national Sports Sedans at Bathurst for around 30 years.

 

And the ones that have run on occasion in the mean time have had to run to a minimum time.

 

Back in the day they were slower than the Group A cars, even though they were lighter, had more power, bigger tyres and more downforce. Which seemed odd at the time.

 

Ricciardello's Alfa raced at Bathurst in the early 1990s. That's how old that car is, for one, even though t has had improvements over the years.

 

Caruso's Audi is basically 20 years old.

[Alfisti]

Just saw the highlights and my first real look at the new cars. They actually look pretty good, just that rear end on the Camaro never looks right does it, even on the production car. The same rear end has totally butchered the C8 vette too, looks like a bashed crab. Been a Holden guy all my life but zero horny for the Camaro, I actually nearly bought a Mustang but plumbed for a 14 year old 911 instead. 

[southernstars]

Davison kicking off the Shootout by dropping it at Hell Corner, a rather unconventional approach.

[krapmeister]

Loving the gold Penrite livery

[southernstars]

Payne has been absolutely spectacular this weekend!

[krapmeister]

Kiwis 1-2 so far

[krapmeister]

Feeney looking on it... and he goes P1!

RBR and Penrite Racing are 1-2 and 3-4 with 4 cars to come...

Edited by krapmeister, 07 October 2023 - 06:33.

[krapmeister]

Waters is coming...

...and just misses out on P1 by 2 hundredths! Thing looked on the edge across the top of the mountain

Edited by krapmeister, 07 October 2023 - 06:40.

[krapmeister]

Mustangs definitely looking more edgy than the Camaros, like right on the edge in places...

[krapmeister]

Just saw the highlights and my first real look at the new cars. They actually look pretty good, just that rear end on the Camaro never looks right does it, even on the production car. The same rear end has totally butchered the C8 vette too, looks like a bashed crab. Been a Holden guy all my life but zero horny for the Camaro, I actually nearly bought a Mustang but plumbed for a 14 year old 911 instead.

The Mustang is definitely the aesthetically better car. The Camaro is just a bit too brutal looking

[krapmeister]

Kostecki gonna pole this by a mile

Half a second and he mucked up T1

Edited by krapmeister, 07 October 2023 - 06:50.

[southernstars]

Holeeeee mac n cheeseballs, Brodie.

[southernstars]

I am giggling at the difference in language norms.

Stroll says "sheet" = Sky panics and jumps in to apologise

Kostecki drops the f-bomb on the radio = nobody gives a bleep

[Victor_RO]

That was a stunning lap. Even with that mistake at T1, up there with the legends.