Latest news with #Speedcafe
The Australian
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Australian
Bathurst 1000 start rule shake-up revealed ahead of October race
A radical plan to shake-up the start of October's Bathurst 1000 is set to be assessed by the Supercars Commission for possible introduction this year. Speedcafe understands Supercars is proposing to scrap a controversial rule introduced in 2024 that stipulates primary drivers must take the start at endurance events. That rule was implemented to ensure the sport's biggest race begins with its star drivers in the cars but contributed to a lacklustre 1000km grind with little strategic variation. Under the proposal hatched by Supercars for The Bend 500 and Bathurst 1000, the top 10 cars would have to start the race with whichever driver took part in the Saturday qualifying Shootout. The major rule change is set to be scrapped for this year's Bathurst 1000. Picture: NewsWire The remainder of the field from 11th on the grid backwards would be free to choose their starting driver. When given the choice, the top teams most often select their co-drivers to start the race due to the benefits of getting the part-timer's minimum laps out of way as early as possible. The new system would effectively make the Shootout runners have to decide between the benefits of going all-out for pole or the ability to start their co-driver. The idea is believed to be the brainchild of Supercars' head of motorsport Tim Edwards. Supercars is believed to have canvassed team feedback on the idea, but it is yet to be formally debated at commission level. The category, though, believes the proposal would strike a balance between the desire to have star drivers at the front of the grid and the need for strategic variation through the field. It's thought to be the latest idea put forward by head of motorsport, Tim Edwards, who was the architect behind the new-for-2025 Supercars Finals Series. Edwards has already implemented a reduction in the fuel tank size and an increase in the minimum co-driver laps for The Bend and Bathurst in a bid to spice-up the races. This story originally appeared on Speedcafe and has been republished with permission.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Police set up crime scene at racetrack as driver dies in horror crash
A racing car driver has died in a single-vehicle crash during a state championship event at a motorsport park in Sydney 's west. Emergency services were called to Sydney Motorsport Park at Eastern creek after the incident at around 8pm on Saturday night during the NSW Motor Race Championship. Paramedics treated the driver, aged 53, but he died at the scene. Police have established a crime scene and will investigate the crash. 'About 8.10pm today (Saturday 26 July 2025), emergency services were called to a motorsports park on Ferrers Road, Eastern Creek, following reports of a single-vehicle crash during a sanctioned race event,' NSW Police said in a statement. 'Officers attached to Blacktown Police Area Command have established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the crash.' Officers will prepare a report for the coroner and Motorsport Australia has been notified, police said. The crash occurred during the third race of the NSW Supersports category, which was red-flagged, with the remainder of the meeting cancelled, according to the motorsport news website Speedcafe. 'We extend our condolences to the family and friends of the competitor, and to the officials and first responders at the scene,' Motorsport Australia said in a statement. 'Motorsport Australia's critical incident plan is in action, and staff are working with NSW Police and the venue following this incident.'
News.com.au
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- News.com.au
Supercars eye Bathurst 1000 rule change to shake-up the start of the iconic endurance race
A radical plan to shake-up the start of October's Bathurst 1000 is set to be assessed by the Supercars Commission for possible introduction this year. Speedcafe understands Supercars is proposing to scrap a controversial rule introduced in 2024 that stipulates primary drivers must take the start at endurance events. That rule was implemented to ensure the sport's biggest race begins with its star drivers in the cars but contributed to a lacklustre 1000km grind with little strategic variation. Under the proposal hatched by Supercars for The Bend 500 and Bathurst 1000, the top 10 cars would have to start the race with whichever driver took part in the Saturday qualifying Shootout. The remainder of the field from 11th on the grid backwards would be free to choose their starting driver. When given the choice, the top teams most often select their co-drivers to start the race due to the benefits of getting the part-timer's minimum laps out of way as early as possible. The new system would effectively make the Shootout runners have to decide between the benefits of going all-out for pole or the ability to start their co-driver. Supercars is believed to have canvassed team feedback on the idea, but it is yet to be formally debated at commission level. The category, though, believes the proposal would strike a balance between the desire to have star drivers at the front of the grid and the need for strategic variation through the field. It's thought to be the latest idea put forward by head of motorsport, Tim Edwards, who was the architect behind the new-for-2025 Supercars Finals Series. Edwards has already implemented a reduction in the fuel tank size and an increase in the minimum co-driver laps for The Bend and Bathurst in a bid to spice-up the races.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Watch A Supercar Get Flogged On The Dirt Track
Read the full story on Backfire News Normally, we see Supercars Championship events held on pavement and for good reason. But just for some good fun, drivers Cam Waters and Thomas Randle treated some fans to a fun session where they took a Supercar out onto a dirt track and tried pushing the were afraid this kind of stunt would end in tragedy. Spoiler alert: it doesn't, but a few times it looked a little close. The two were at Sydney International Speedway, hitting the clay there for an unusual event someone thankfully had the foresight to film and upload to YouTube so the rest of us could enjoy. The Ford Mustang Supercar sure sounds great, but it clearly struggled for traction in the dirt. After all, it has the wrong tires for the slippery surface. Plus, rear-wheel-drive on anything with sub-optimal traction is going to be a challenge. But it looked like they had some fun. At first they took it easy, probably getting a feel for how the Supercar would handle the surface. Then the started to lay on the accelerator more. But you can hear in the footage how the driver gets off the pedal a lot, especially through the turns. Still, the Ford almost kissed the wall, or at least got fairly close (it's hard to tell for sure from the angle this was filmed), at least a few times. The crowd sure seemed to love the spectacle and who can blame them? How often do you get to see a Supercar whip around a dirt oval? Thankfully, someone on the crew thought to raise the front splitter as well as the whole ride height of the Supercar, otherwise it would've just been plowing through the dirt. That would've been entertaining for a few seconds, but seeing them really try to go for it on the slippery surface was more entertaining. Image via Speedcafe/YouTube
