POWER RANKINGS: THE BEND WEEK 1
WILD RACING, some serious sizzle between the contenders, new podium finishers and a whole lotta ‘Hot’ came out of Supercars return to The Bend Motorsport Park this year. As such, the TRT Power Rankings powered by Yellow Cover are here to dissect the Hot / Not and What from the weekend.
WORDS: Richard Craill, Mark Walker, Dale Rodgers, Tony Schibeci, TRT Social Contributors
IMAGES: Frank Hodak / The Bend Motorsport Park
IT was a cracking weekend in South Australia and by the end of it our ‘Hot’ list was overflowing with excellence, such was the nature of the racing, the event and everything else – but don’t think that doesn’t mean there wasn’t some stuff that stood out to make the other parts as well.
As always though, we start with the positive end of the spectrum: HOT.
1. THE BEND
ON THURSDAY, August 27 the Supercars were not coming to The Bend this year.
By Friday afternoon on August 28, they were.
2020 has been all about thrashing to get it done, and the calendar has been no exception, but to throw together an independently promoted event (Supercars don’t do the leg work on this one) in the space of three weeks is big. Really, big. The fact there’s another one next week just adds to it.
And yet, the outcome was spectacular. Saturday’s crowd was good, Sunday’s even better – with the cap on Bathurst, it’s likely this weekend or next could be the second-most attended event on the calendar this year.
Park ‘n View spots were sold out on both days, the atmosphere was great, hardly any niggles reported by punters and the supports entertaining: It was as if the event had been planned for months.
The large Holden parade / gathering was excellent and even the fencing off of the Supercars paddock, while still keeping the pit building and supports open to the punters, worked a treat.
The Bend fought to get Supercars back for this critical double header, but it also made sense for the championship too. Both delivered in an exceptional weekend and should be very pleased with the outcome.
2. RACE 1
BEST Supercars race of the year to date, without question. Not much more to be said – this one had it all, and it was spectacular.
SVG isn't giving that lead up easy! ? #VASC pic.twitter.com/bKXZl8llMh
— Supercars (@supercars) September 19, 2020
Man, what a race! #VASC pic.twitter.com/jDMHQ5fdX7
— Supercars (@supercars) September 19, 2020
OH BOY, now that was an entertaining first lap‼️?
— Fox Motorsport (@Fox_Motorsport) September 19, 2020
?Stream #VASC : https://t.co/kzDxvgswl8
?Race Centre: https://t.co/YuVRoUlR8p pic.twitter.com/wjcp2uZ1zX
3. KELLY RACING
A TRIO of elevenths was the best Rick Kelly could manage across Darwin and Townsville, while Andre Heimgartner could only manage four top-10s from the same group of races.
As such, no one expected much from the Kelly Mustang’s at The Bend but, true to their pre-season form, both cars were extremely competitive in qualifying, relatively kind to their tyres in the races and driven superbly.
If they are this good on the next fast, open and flowing circuit on the calendar – you know the one – they could be dangerous.
Well done to everyone @KellyRacingAus!! ???????? #VASC https://t.co/iB6y86u75g
— Ford Australia (@FordAustralia) September 20, 2020
4. THREE WIDE!
ANDRE HEIMGARTNER’S opportunistic three-wide move at turn six was probably the best pass of the year so far. ‘nuff said.
A brave move from @chazmozzie who dives on Coulthard but maintains a his spot #VASC #VASC pic.twitter.com/eIRWIUA8Rb
— Supercars (@supercars) September 20, 2020
SVG makes contact and gets by McLaughlin! ? #VASC pic.twitter.com/FGgnObsGuj
— Supercars (@supercars) September 20, 2020
.@andreheimgartne out of nowhere! ?
— Supercars (@supercars) September 20, 2020
He gains two spots with a huge move! #VASC pic.twitter.com/j00kwq5JF6
5. FABIAN
UNDER PRESSURE and coming off the back of a string of mediocre results, the Kiwi fought back brilliantly on the weekend and not only returned to the winners list, but also topped the points for the weekend as well. This was exactly the kind of response we were looking for from Fabian and absolutely energised the team’s championship fight as well.
A big response to the critics and at exactly the right (contract) time, too.
You just knew @FabianCoulthard was going to win this one after others said they were a one car team.
— Cameron Lucas (@CameronGLucas) September 19, 2020
Nicely done Fabs, quick & a cool head got the win ? congrats, completely deserving@DJRTeamPenske#VASC
6. DUNLOP
SUPERCARS and tyre partner Dunlop threw a set of Softs the way of each team at the test day back in February in a bid to evaluate their performance on The Bend’s International circuit, before making the call to utilise them this year when the circuit was added back on to the calendar. And what a decision it was: the tyres made all the difference and brought Supercars to life on a circuit that, while already producing spectacular races for high-grip categories in the past, had battled when it came to the main game.
This race is so much more interesting with the unexpected tyre troubles #VASC #v8supercars #thebend
— Luke Battiston (@batto2016) September 19, 2020
7. BRYCE FULLWOOD
THE KID is good and getting better every weekend as he settles into life at WAU. Third in Race 25 was just his fourth top-10 of the year but oh boy, was it a good one. He’s a great interview out of the car and capable in it: a well deserved podium, for sure.
Kid from Darwin gets first podium…
— Chad Neylon ?? (@chadneylon) September 19, 2020
“There was s**t flying everywhere… To be honest.”
Love it #VASC
8. THE RACING
YOU’RE probably on the wrong website if the racing product dished up by Supercars on the weekend didn’t get you turned on. Enormously competitive, tough, lots of teams in the mix with genuine speed, plenty of emotion, unfiltered comments and a very competitive grid. It’s very, very good.
9. EMOTION
TV doesn’t like the swearing, but it makes for great viewing none the less. Raw sport at its best.
my reaction when my Uber cancels #VASC pic.twitter.com/i3UKQDI3CX
— James Pavey (@jamespavey_) September 20, 2020
Love how they don't apologize anymore if a driver says "shit" fantastic #VASC
— SupercarsMaster (@SupercarsMaster) September 20, 2020
10. TEAM TITLE
DRIVERS championship is shot to pieces but you’d better believe there’s a bit going on in the fight for pit lane preference next year. Coulthard’s resurgence is well-timed, coming just after SVG hit his late-season form which ensures the pressure remains on between Red and Blue camps.
Meanwhile, the fight for third is monumental. Tickford’s 5 & 55 have a buffer over their other two team cars, but from there back there is nothing to split Erebus, WAU, Team 18 and BJR.
In fact there’s just 265 points covering the six squads in that fight that could very much go any way.
WHAT
NICK PERCAT SELF-CHARACTER REFERENCE
.@NickPercat wasn't too impressed with his shootout performance.?
— Fox Motorsport (@Fox_Motorsport) September 19, 2020
"Young kids at home stay off the white lines when it’s been raining, who would have thought? Racing car driver 101. So, I am seriously, I’m angry at myself. "
?Stream:https://t.co/kzDxvgswl8#VASC pic.twitter.com/IssZxebVFG
SUPPORT RACE DRIVERS
@Matt_Naulty need more info on driver Wayne King, please. #vasc
— Mark Walker (@markwa1ker) September 19, 2020
Describe 2020 in one television timing graphic. #VASC pic.twitter.com/1ZxrynybGR
— Pitlane Whiteboard (@PitlaneWB) September 19, 2020
How I feel about 2020 in general #VASC pic.twitter.com/icLoMcylZU
— SupercarsMaster (@SupercarsMaster) September 19, 2020
If we can a plumber to attend to the TV compound, we have a POO JAM in the totem pole. #VASC #WayneKing pic.twitter.com/uaL8AVvG6e
— Pitlane Whiteboard (@PitlaneWB) September 19, 2020
Jonesy is doing the #wayneking thing deliberately.#VASC
— Samuel Lockhart (@LloydGSR) September 19, 2020
Thanks for that @geeohbee, I'm sure @Matt_Naulty will totally include this #WayneKing fact in the next session coverage of Combined Sedans for those that don't have twitter. #VASC https://t.co/f5jNhRBHPK
— Pitlane Whiteboard (@PitlaneWB) September 19, 2020
AARON ZEREFOS
Talking to some teams
— Aaron Zerefos (@AaronZerefos) September 11, 2020
NOT
1. JAMIE ON SCOTT
WHAT a moment in the championship this was..
That is a game changer! ? #VASC pic.twitter.com/Il8FyAmBcn
— Supercars (@supercars) September 19, 2020
JDub on Scotty #VASC pic.twitter.com/kDp5xbMQ1V
— Mossy (@mossy_pj) September 19, 2020
Everyone getting the popcorn for the Facebook comments tonight #VASC pic.twitter.com/A7iRCvVYJA
— SupercarsMaster (@SupercarsMaster) September 19, 2020
That simmer just turned into a boil #VASC
— Chad Neylon ?? (@chadneylon) September 19, 2020
I'm sure social media will remain civil after that #VASC
— Samuel Lockhart (@LloydGSR) September 19, 2020
2. SCOTT ON LEE
What a moment in the championship this could have been.. any worse than a 15-second penalty and McLaughlin could have ended up ceding ground to Whincup and the whole weekend’s tone could have changed somewhat.
McLaughlin and Holdsworth connect! Drama! #VASC pic.twitter.com/FRqtNaY4pD
— Supercars (@supercars) September 19, 2020
3. PUNTERS AT BATHURST
COVID-19 SUCKS and the fact it’s claimed a crowd on the Mountain this October sucks even harder. We understand, of course – but if anything fits the criteria for a ‘NOT’ nomination, it is this.
Considering this has come off the back of the NSW State Government’s announcement yesterday that up to 50% would be allowed in at stadiums for “major events” from October 1, Supercars have all the right to feel pretty ripped off about this. ?? #VASC https://t.co/tn2w95AtTS
— Brian Van De Wakker (@brianwakker22) September 18, 2020
4. TOP 15 SHOOTOUT / QUALIFYING
WE’RE CONSISTENT in our messaging and the fan feedback has been the same, so it’s another NOT for the Saturday qualifying format. Too long, no intensity and too much waffle and not enough spark. Fortunately there’s only one weekend of it left before we can hopefully be rid of it forever.
Hrmm… qualifying this Saturday is scheduled to take 1hr25min, while all three races have been allotted 1hr03min. Cashing in on the popularly of the Townsville SuperSprinters? #vasc
— Mark Walker (@markwa1ker) September 16, 2020
5. WAU TYRE LIFE
THE TYRE issues some teams experienced more than others on the weekend certainly brought the event to life – but it showed once again how some teams nailed it and others didn’t.
Bryce did a super job on Saturday but while the Chaz Mostert – Adam DeBorre combination have clearly elevated Walkinshaw to a new level this year, their one-lap pace did not lend themselves to strong race results; 11th, 11th and 16th across the three races represented a shocker for the man who entered the weekend third in the championship, but left it in fifth.
6. JAMIE R2 QUALIFYING & STOP
THE hit-or-miss Triple Eight of 2020 sprung again on Jamie Whincup on Sunday with a poor qualifying performance coupled with a dodgy stop killing any hope the 88 might have had in closing the margin on the 17.
A costly pit issue for @redbullholden ? #VASC pic.twitter.com/6CDC1NtCey
— Supercars (@supercars) September 20, 2020
7. RACE 3 CARNAGE
ALL over the shop on he opening lap as it was stacks on the mill down at Turn 17. Messy.
ABSOLUTE CHAOS!! #VASC pic.twitter.com/tPeX76OrTJ
— Supercars (@supercars) September 20, 2020
— Cameron Kirby (@Cameron_Kirby) September 20, 2020
RACE CONTROL: Please extend Craig Baird's stay at the the hotel for an additional night. #VASC
— Pitlane Whiteboard (@PitlaneWB) September 20, 2020
8. DAVE’S FORM SLUMP
ANTON De Pasquale found some of Penrite Erebus Racing’s lost form at the weekend with finishes of 8th, 5th and 4th across the three races, respectively – but Dave Reynolds was nowhere. In fact, after a solid opening weekend in Darwin, Reynolds last 12 races have delivered just five top-10 finishes. Anton hasn’t been much further up the road, sure, but he has climbed to 11th in the championship and now sits only a handful of points behind in the standings, too.
9. WINTERBOTTOM’S FORM SLUMP
WHILE his teammate surges up the order, Frosty and the IRWIN machine have had a shocker in the last three events and have tumbled out the top-10 of the standings, too. His opening lap of Race 27 sort of exemplified his recent form: off the road several times before being an unwitting recipient of the lap one drama that saw him punted harder than a Sherrin. Messy.
PRESENTING THE WRONG TROPHIES
IT’S not rocket science guys, but it’s happened a few times this year.
TWEET
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT, WE GUESS…
Percat goes off #VASC pic.twitter.com/bjzbUc7MUB
— Supercars (@supercars) September 19, 2020
Track PA has Kylie Minogue's 'Spinning Around' on repeat this morning ? #VASC pic.twitter.com/KH6KwZLqDp
— Supercars (@supercars) September 19, 2020
Apparently the kerbs are quite slippery ?
— Supercars (@supercars) September 18, 2020
You good @scottpye19? #VASC pic.twitter.com/PrneMb9jIj
Rain drops begin to fall on track and Heimgartner runs wide #VASC pic.twitter.com/EWEjtEOX5j
— Supercars (@supercars) September 18, 2020
ALL OF THOSE PLAYING AT HOME WERE LIKE:
Praying for this rain to stay all day #VASC pic.twitter.com/bNNuW1DKby
— SupercarsMaster (@SupercarsMaster) September 19, 2020
FEEDBACK
Mr Skaife, if you could turn your radio down, please caller. #VASC
— DOPAMINE ENTHUSIAST (@WhyChrisBrain) September 19, 2020
LIMITER BASHING
The gearbox between turns 2 and 3 #LimiterBashing #VASC pic.twitter.com/zOQurI90OM
— Chad Neylon ?? (@chadneylon) September 19, 2020
ATTABOY…?
@Fox_Motorsport can we please ask your commentators to set the bar a little higher for praise? Accolades for operating an indicator……wow. #VASC
— Will (@blackhatWilly) September 20, 2020
MEME
#VASC pic.twitter.com/aZnGOfwc9k
— Chad Neylon ?? (@chadneylon) September 19, 2020