Championship on the line in Sydney

SUPERCARS heavyweights Scott McLaughlin and Shane van Gisbergen are ready to light up Sydney.

The sport’s first night race in Australia in 21 years starts this evening at Sydney Motorsport Park with McLaughlin and van Gisbergen locked in a two-way battle for the drivers’ crown.

And the Sydney SuperNight 300 will be pivotal.

“It is probably the most important race of the year,’’ van Gisbergen said. “It is 300km for 300 points … we will need to be on.’’

Out to erase the heartbreak of losing last year’s championship to Jamie Whincup in the final round, DJR/Team Penske star McLaughlin said he is ready for the new challenges night racing will throw up.

“I feel like we are very well prepared,’’ he said.

“I am excited about our car pace but it is going to be different with temperatures and what we will do with pit stops and all that sort of stuff.”

McLaughlin had his championship lead slashed to just 131 points when Red Bull Holden Racing’s van Gisbergen pounced last round in Ipswich to turn the championship into a head-to-head battle.

“Nothing changes for me heading into Sydney,’’ McLaughlin said.

“I just have to press on and take it as it comes.’’

The drivers will get one shot at preparing their cars for tomorrow night’s race during a 40minute practice session tonight.

A second practice session and a three-part qualifying session tomorrow afternoon will determine the grid for the race, which starts at 7.20pm.

V8 legend Mark Skaife earlier this week set the scene for the showdown when he said tomorrow night’s race could decide the championship.

“I reckon SMP in the nighttime, for 300 points in one race, is the most risky race of the year,’’ Skaife said. “It could decide the championship and it will make the battle that we have between Shane and Scott very interesting.”