LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION – IT’S SUPERNIGHT
Almost forgotten in the hype of a historic Supercars night race is the fact the Sydney leg will be a significant endurance test.
Drivers this weekend will race under lights for the first time in Australia since 1997’s Calder Park round.
While there is a sense of unknown for the field about how being on the grid after dark will impact racing, the 300km spectacle provides a challenge in itself.
It will be the longest single-driver race since 2003, something Tickford Racing’s Mark Winterbottom thinks can’t be underestimated.
“On the Gold Coast, we do 300 kilometres but we share it with someone else,” Winterbottom said at Fox Sports’ Sydney SuperNight 300 launch.
“It’s not just going to be a physical challenge, as well on top of the lighting conditions it’s all going to be mentally testing.”
The 2015 champion has fond memoworth ries of the Supercars’ last night race in Abu Dhabi seven years ago.
The Ford flyer finished third in the first of two races, but there was a permanent set-up in Abu Dhabi compared with the 60 temporary light towers installed at Sydney Motorsport Park.
“That night race (in Abu Dhabi) was probably brighter than an overcast day race. The lighting was ridiculous,” Winterbottom said.
The sole race of the weekend is 300 points – double a regular race – meaning it could have serious championship ramifications.
Ford ace Scott McLaughlin has a 131-point gap on Red Bull Holden’s Shane van Gisbergen after the pair split the two races at Ipswich last month.
Winterbottom has had a disappointing season, sitting 14th in the standings.
Practice starts at 6pm today, with the main event starting at 7.20pm on Saturday.