Night race tough test, says Frosty
ALMOST forgotten in the hype of a historic Supercars night race is that the Sydney leg will be a significant endurance test.
Drivers this weekend will race under lights for the first time in Australia since Calder Park in 1997.
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 should not be underestimated.
“On the Gold Coast, we do 300 kilometres but we share it with someone else,” Winterbottom said from 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.
“It’s definitely slipped under the radar in terms of the physicality and mental toughness required for what’s ahead.” The 2015 champion has fond memories of the Supercars’ last night race, in Abu Dhabi seven years ago.
The Ford flyer finished third in the first of two races but believes there will be no comparisons to what happens at Sydney Motorsport Park. There was a permanent set- up in Abu Dhabi compared with the 60 temporary light towers installed at the Eastern Creek venue.
“That night race ( in Abu Dhabi) was probably brighter than an overcast day race. The lighting was ridiculous,” Winterbottom said.
“In Sydney we won’t experience it . . . until Friday night ( with practice) and then Saturday night will be the first time we’ll race as a pack under the lights.
“It’s the unknown about what’s going to happen, which is pretty exciting.”
The sole race of the weekend is worth 300 points ( double a regular race), so could have serious championship ramifications.
Ford ace Scott McLaughlin holds a 131- point gap on Red Bull Holden’s Shane van Gisbergen after the pair split the two races at Ipswich last month.