POWER RANKINGS: Bathurst 500 edition
A NEW SUPERCARS season means a new year of The Race Torque Power Rankings.
This column, otherwise known as Hot / Not or What, delves into the plusses and minuses from each round of the championship. The good bits get praised, the stuff that needs work gets the feedback it deserves. Sure, it’s a lot of fun and definitely light hearted – but those that make the ‘Not’ column tend to be there because the fans have nominated it, which makes it serious.
This week there was plenty to take in and so much good stuff on the Mountain to love – but then the new Graphics system had some glitches and you better believe our internet blew up..
So, without further preamble, here’s the first edition of the Power Rankings for this bold, new season.
We hope you enjoy and, next time, use the @theracetorque social handle to join in.
ON FIRE
REPCO ACTIVATION
If anyone thought that replacing Supercheap Auto’s impressive activation of their Supercars and Bathurst sponsorship would be difficult or underwhelming, Repco quickly quashed anything of the kind from the moment you drove into town.
From every flagpole on William and George Streets in the Bathurst CBD being adorned by Repco banners, to the massive shipping container entrance to the circuit (complete with piped-in Supercars sounds), getting Sam Brabham to drive one of his grandfather’s Repco-Brabham F1 cars and all the associated track signage, Repco belted it out of the park at the Bathurst 500.
Oh yes – this is a sponsor that will activate on their investment.
HOT
1. SVG
Three straight race wins at Bathurst, and while his rivals faltered at various times, he was peerless. Clearly, the relationship with his new engineer didn’t take long to bed in. It’s early days, but SVG has to be the clear championship favourite, so long as the team can be consistent.
Call him butter because he’s on a roll ?
— Motorsport.com (@Motorsport) February 28, 2021
Shane van Gisbergen takes pole as he looks for a third straight race win at Mount Panorama.#RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/SscNfJ3omc
Shane van Gisbergen WINS race 1 of the @supercars season! ?
— 7Sport (@7Sport) February 27, 2021
??? #RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/4yfaPsbE4V
Welcome to @PirtekAUS Victory Lane, SVG ?#RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/N0BgFQONi0
— Supercars (@supercars) February 27, 2021
An exceptional lap!! ?
— Supercars (@supercars) February 28, 2021
SVG has claimed @ARMORALLAuzNZ Pole Position for Race 2! #RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/DEDQEw6X84
‘That middle stint was one of the coolest bits of driving I’ve ever had in a race car’
— Supercars (@supercars) February 28, 2021
Take a bow SVG! #RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/rUbGFE1HD7
2. Chaz
Fastest all day Friday, second and third on race day with speed to burn, Mostert looks the goods. We’ve seen Walkinshaw Andretti United be strong in season openers previously, and they are seemingly always on the Bathurst podium – Sandown will be the weekend of truth for the squad, and their title aspirations.
Close call for Mostert! ?#RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/JaP5ADut05
— Supercars (@supercars) February 28, 2021
3. CoolDrive Racing Debut
For a single-car operation that started from scratch in November, there were many positives to take away from the event for the new CoolDrive equipe. Seventh and fourth in practice, fifth in qualifying, second in the shootout, and gunning for a podium in the opening race. The team is filled with some good operators and kit, and Slade has a point to prove after a season on the bench. Sadly, their weekend concluded further down this page, fingers crossed they can show similar speed at Sandown and elsewhere moving forward.
Up next in the Shootout is Tim Slade!#RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/7igizeoodC
— Supercars (@supercars) February 27, 2021
4. Scotty’s Live-Tweeting Service
MIA from the driver’s seat, but now doing the heavy lifting for Supercars’ PR department, we are comfortable with Scotty’s new role in the sport. Long may it continue.
This is the last time I committed prior to a shootout ?? https://t.co/7bSF0VIhoE pic.twitter.com/sumUcBsSnw
— Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin93) February 27, 2021
Now Chaz literally needs to drop the hammer pic.twitter.com/2KVi4VuNuj
— Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin93) February 27, 2021
https://t.co/7W8s1hXtz8 pic.twitter.com/ee51yXQVcH
— Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin93) February 27, 2021
— Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin93) February 28, 2021
Living for Scotty tweeting about rim colours on @supercars. #RepcoSC https://t.co/GxUm9Ncv1h
— Peter Leung (@BaronVonClutch) February 28, 2021
5. Sunday Qualifying
Absolutely tight as a tiger, different teams showing that there is very little in it at the pointy end of the field.
Less that 1/10th across the top 3 !… the margins in this sport are almost incomprehensibly small .. #RepcoSC
— mark mark mk 2 (@theLOGICALman) February 27, 2021
These qualifying sessions are quite nerve wracking to watch, always thought my family were a little dramatic now I get it.. my hands are dripping ? #repcosc
— Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin93) February 27, 2021
That was an awesome end to qualifying. Jamie Whincup out of the top 10 for less than a second before jumping back in at the end! Also, Andre Heimgartner getting himself in the top 10 in the dying stages was cool to see. #RepcoSC
— Alexander Grant (@AlexGrantOz) February 27, 2021
6. Supporting Cast
Between Super2, Touring Car Masters, Toyota 86s and Aussie Racing Cars, the quality of racing on the undercard was absolutely first rate. Close finishes, while a general lack of major stacks earns the collective a big attaboy/girl.
7. Waters
Saturday pole, and was looking good in the opening leg until a mechanical moment muted the Monster Mustang (more below), but bounced back with a somewhat distant second on Sunday. The form from the end of 2020 was no fluke.
Straight to the top for Waters!
— Supercars (@supercars) February 27, 2021
He slots into P1, 0.107s ahead of Slade #RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/2NpXxub6lb
8. Broadcast
Overall, there was an awful lot to like about the coverage. Garth Tander was everywhere, and did a great job in the various roles he filled – the post-race bants with SVG were top notch. Larko was Larko, and everyone was stoked that he was back on board. Craig Lowndes also slotted in well to his new role, while some nerves elsewhere will no doubt be ironed out. It wasn’t perfect, see below for more…
Mark Larkham giving us gold on the hill ? #RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/XFWDdyLrzu
— 7Sport (@7Sport) February 28, 2021
R1 was the most watched season opener of at least the last four years, with a metro audience of 430,000 on 7 + Fox. That’s up from 401k for R1 last year and 397k for R1 in 2019.
— The Race Torque (@theracetorque) February 28, 2021
234k watched on 7 regionally, taking the total to 664k. Streaming not included.#RepcoSC #TVRatings pic.twitter.com/hT3jBPz5bN
Back to the way Channel 7 use to host their coverage in the Pitlane behind a car I absolutely use to love that #Repcosc pic.twitter.com/ZsBo6rtABo
— RepcoV8sMaster (@SupercarsMaster) February 26, 2021
Cool that Foxsports is now seemingly able to show clips from the Channel 7 archive. #RepcoSC
— Mark Walker (@markwa1ker) February 27, 2021
LARKO. I MISSED YOU ❤️ #RepcoSC
— Hayley (@Hayleyyemma) February 26, 2021
9. Fans Back Trackside
How good. Also Hot, this photo by the guru Mark Horsburgh.
10. National Anthem
Friend of The Race Torque Courtney Keil belted out a great anthem to kick off the season, a performance that was unveiled via the On The Grid Podcast. It pays to tune in!
It’s time to get started! #RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/s82y2xzWBe
— Supercars (@supercars) February 27, 2021
WHAT
‘Customers’
Several odd references to spectators on the broadcast raised eyebrows within the TRT community – turns out, they didn’t much like being called ‘Customers’..
Suspect the core TV watching fanbase won’t react too well to being described as customers! May need a re-think?
— Margaret Hardy (@darm93) March 1, 2021
HOT @GarthTander as a Pit Lane reporter, pundit and commentator.
— Lizzie Maher (@maher_liz) February 28, 2021
NOT Charli Hi5 talking like we are all 5 year olds, seriously ??♀️??♀️.
Stop calling fans customers, that is overpaid marketing department nonsense.
HOT: The drive from Canberra to Bathurst via Crookwell. A gem of a drive with sweepers, blind corners and flat out sections.
— Glenn Beaumaris (@gogg13) February 28, 2021
NOT: Paddock passes selling out and yet there were was no social distancing in merch alley. Stop referring to us fans as customers.#repcosc
Larko’s Back!
I mean, should be in ‘HOT’ but so much of what he does makes you go ‘What just happened?’ while holding back the tears, so it could go nowhere else..
Unfortunately it’s not big enough.#RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/0iLhLXOQbt
— rob (@HMSguy) February 26, 2021
What an icon ? #RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/8W9lZcMUh6
— Jarad99 (@yeeeeeeeeeeeaee) February 26, 2021
Global Warming has taken a new, dangerous turn on the borders..
How many suns are there on Planet Albury? #RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/Q7gb90iXFH
— Andrew van Leeuwen (@avl_motorsport) February 18, 2021
Dunlop Absolutely Smashing It
Unbelievable ??#RepcoSC https://t.co/WztYgDivnk
— Supercars (@supercars) February 26, 2021
Dunlop tire having a couple of shunts in the #Dunlop Super 2 practice at #bathurst
— Ash (@LetUsRolll) February 26, 2021
?#RepcoSC #FoxSports #kayo #Motorsports
(Original footage rights belong to respective owners. No copyright intended. Footage used for entertainment only.) pic.twitter.com/yjfLPMJNyE
Engineer-Driver Communication is Key
Looks like Cauchi got his palm open just in time to avoid an awkward fist bump mix-up there. #RepcoSC
— Andrew van Leeuwen (@avl_motorsport) February 28, 2021
? Mark Horsburgh pic.twitter.com/WAMc0lZQR3
Feb-u-What?
We’re not much chop at spelling, but we’re confident this isn’t how you spell February.
NOT
1. Not being in Adelaide
Bathurst is wonderful and if you had to go anywhere to start this particular season that wasn’t the Adelaide 500, it would be there. But a ‘sprint’ round on the Mountain with a half of the amenities, a quarter of the punters and a tenth of the camping and festival atmosphere took away from the big-event feel that Supercars would always launch with in South Australia. Good for TV, but it didn’t feel like a major event, the Bathurst 500 – and the season should start with one. Newcastle 2022 will go a long way to correcting that.
I know things have changed and probably will never go back, but I have this nagging feeling that I am supposed to be in Adelaide today #RepcoSC
— Here Be Branners (@philbranagan) February 25, 2021
2. Slade’s Shunt
This hurt. It was a shunt that could have happened to anyone, with the transmission playing silly buggers at exactly the wrong moment. Everyone felt the pain inflicted on Slade and squad, deserved better.
SLADE IS OUT ?
— Supercars (@supercars) February 27, 2021
That is a nasty shunt! #RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/AKM2qQEdyg
Gutted. #RepcoSC @supercars pic.twitter.com/NJWjgZAQdm
— 7Sport (@7Sport) February 27, 2021
All 4 off the ground. Ugh. #RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/PiEC38UJT3
— JJ (@TomcatNASCAR_2) February 27, 2021
So. Many. Feels.
— Peter Leung (@BaronVonClutch) February 27, 2021
This is really hard to watch. #RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/V9pbWWLZHQ
3. New Graphics
Nothing ground at the gears of those in social media land than the various dramas that inflicted the graphics package over the weekend. As a graphic (pun intended) example of how many people found angst in it, this is the single most requested item by TRT social media contributors in the history of the Power Rankings.
By about 50%..
After a big unveil in the lead-up, their actual function fell short at the first test. No doubt the feedback will be taken on board, and things will improve in the future, but you could see the smoke pouring out of the graphics truck from Melbourne.
TL:DR? Looked pretty. Didn’t work.
(If you’re reading this from Supercars TV, you might want to CLICK HERE, which will allow you to skip this particular item and move on to No. 4. You’ll save lots of scrolling..)
Far out had the gaps on the timing graphic all race and when we need it most it ain’t there ?? wanna know gap from SVG to Chaz
— Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin93) February 27, 2021
If you’re gonna promote the hell out of the new graphics package, at least make sure it works #RepcoSC
— Hayley (@Hayleyyemma) February 27, 2021
So #RepcoSC’s much vaunted new graphics package shat the bed day 1 session 1
— disgraced wellness blogger (@DrYobbo) February 26, 2021
What is this god awful shit show that is the graphics/timing/totem pole update system? Maybe it’s trying to force people to buy live timing in the app? #RepcoSC
— Steve Cottrell (@RisingPhoen1x) February 27, 2021
I think we need the @PitlaneWB to take control of the on screen timing. This is a joke. @supercars #RepcoSC
— Nick (@Diamondkanka) February 27, 2021
Svgs a big shell fan – always has been pic.twitter.com/AGKOF5Zn85
— Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin93) February 27, 2021
@Fox_Motorsport @supercars Graphics are shit at it, black bar far too large and all intrusive, please re-set. #RepcoSC
— Teagle (@TimG3210) February 27, 2021
Fox is trying to do too much with the graphics. Just leave the pylon up and don’t get cute with it. #RepcoSC
— Sean (@SeanMP) February 27, 2021
Loving the new graphics @supercars … when you can get them up on the screen ?
— Luke Wallyn (@LAW069) February 27, 2021
Seriously though, you need to revert to the driver abbreviation. Using the full name takes up SO much screen. #RepcoSC
@supercars how can you have a graphics package which is incapable of showing race positions for the last 3 laps or as cars cross the line??!!!. Short this ? out! #Bathurst500 #RepcoSC
— Damien Bryan (@DamienBryan79) February 27, 2021
I wonder how much money @supercars wasted on the faulty screen graphics. #RepcoSC
— Jurassic Mark (@THEmarkomac) February 27, 2021
So no one is driving Car 7 in 22nd place? #RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/b2jFcd7Oce
— Cherrykie (@CherrykieMore) February 28, 2021
Honestly, why don’t they have J and B for the Kostecki’s? This whole thing upgrade is to help casual fans but that seems like a basic improvement that should’ve been there anyway. #repcosc
— seth ewen (@ewen_seth) February 28, 2021
4. Erebus on Friday
An ugly way to kick things off. The rookie duo of Brodie Kosteki and Will Brown showed strong Friday pace, although Brown demolished his car in the Dipper while clearly having a big go (he was third fastest… in an inconsequential practice).
Brodie rebounded to finish both races just outside the top-ten and very impressively qualify in the Saturday shootout, while Brown finished 14th on Sunday with a patched-up racer.
A solid rebound, but it would have been so much easier to simply not be behind the eight-ball.
Kostecki is off deep at the Chase! ?#RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/FI1MsuryVQ
— Supercars (@supercars) February 26, 2021
Barry Ryan Basically just said Will Brown was out there having fun#repcosc pic.twitter.com/RSj9GjIRKb
— RepcoV8sMaster (@SupercarsMaster) February 26, 2021
That’s a bone rattler! ?
— Supercars (@supercars) February 26, 2021
Practice 1 remains red flagged #RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/9rcjKSK0L9
5. Brad Jones Racing and Bathurst
Urrgh. What has Brad Jones Racing done to offend Bathurst? Practice two saw Jones bunker at The Chase, while Hazlewood had steering dramas. They didn’t get a car in the top-15 in Q1, while Percat was delayed in race one by engine dramas. A tenth to Hazelwood on Saturday and a tenth to Percat on Sunday was all they had to show for their efforts.
Practice 2 is red flagged ?#RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/7dGrrm5o8c
— Supercars (@supercars) February 26, 2021
‘That’s Dukes of Hazzard stuff’ ?
— Supercars (@supercars) February 26, 2021
A tough start for BJR as practice 2 is red flagged ? #RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/yMgiDU5Doc
Bit of drama for Hazelwood prior to the red flag ?#RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/On8dz10wnz
— Supercars (@supercars) February 26, 2021
Another year, more woes for BJR. I just wanna give Brad a big hug poor thing ? #RepcoSC
— Hayley (@Hayleyyemma) February 26, 2021
BJR and Bathurst problems #RepcoSC
— Trackside Towtruck ™ (@SCTowtruck) February 26, 2021
Percat is stranded at pit exit and @ARMORALLAusNZ Qualifying is red flagged ?#RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/YmKTu9V16Y
— Supercars (@supercars) February 26, 2021
Fullwood and Percat pit. Reynolds and Le Brocq have also come in prior#RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/HDyhyZMQGv
— Supercars (@supercars) February 27, 2021
Macauley Jones’ day is done #RepcoSC
— 7Sport (@7Sport) February 27, 2021
? https://t.co/NvfvMJEFTK pic.twitter.com/f2o6HciEWP
6. Waters Saturday Woes
How important will the Saturday 20th place finish for Waters be at the end of the season? With only 11 events left, dropped points at any stage will be hard to claw back, but especially in the very first event. Tickford need to be faultless from here on in.
From P1 to parked up ?
— Supercars (@supercars) February 27, 2021
Devastation early on for Cam Waters #RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/oSxgIdiNWJ
7. Anton Drops it Cold
Anton was absolutely on like Donkey Kong, until fencing himself at the Cutting on Saturday. Like Waters, how important will this be in the final run down? Fourth on Sunday was a good rebound, but he should have been on Saturday’s podium.
Anton is in the fence! ??
— Supercars (@supercars) February 27, 2021
We have our first BP Ultimate Safety Car of the season #RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/wJKTbkFFwp
8. Courtney Does Similar
The slowest corner on the track continues to be one of the hardest to master, with former champs not exempt.
Courtney’s had a massive shunt ??
— Supercars (@supercars) February 28, 2021
The Cutting has claimed another #RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/SAnPnMQsWo
9. U-G-L-Y Re-entry
Not pretty, almost a major, major sausage and rightfully penalised.
HOLEY MOLEY! ?
— Supercars (@supercars) February 27, 2021
We might see a bit more off this one after the race! #RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/ClNSbEVeGE
10. Friday Fog
As if the curtailed 2020 season wasn’t hard enough to swallow, at one stage it looked like the 2021 edition was never going to get started… Editor Craill, who is contractually bound to see the Mount Panorama sign at least once every 365, days was particularly unhappy.
390 days away and this is the welcome back I get! #repcosc pic.twitter.com/UbUtlTUK9i
— Richard Craill (@Craillsy) February 25, 2021
Here’s why the schedule is in chaos!
— Touring Car Masters (@TCMAustralia) February 25, 2021
Great pic by @nathan_wong from the top of the hill. #TCM2021 #RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/8QeNY3eFWV
THE BEST OF THE REST OF THE INTERNET
Save Your Legs, Take the Boat Next Time
Talk walk ✅ ⛈
— Todd Hazelwood (@Todd_Hazelwood) February 25, 2021
Beautiful weather here in Bathurst, all set for practice tomorrow! ? #THR #RepcoSC @bjrsupercars @supercars pic.twitter.com/ngbpG6HpTO
Bert’s Back, Baby!
This Legend is at Bathurst ???? #RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/vP2Wlk4qbv
— RepcoV8sMaster (@SupercarsMaster) February 25, 2021
You’ve Still Got Time, Chad
17 Bathurst 1000 wins between us ? #RoyalWe #RepcoSC https://t.co/XgcwjyETGz
— Chad Neylon ?? (@chadneylon) February 24, 2021
Albino Skip
He’s not the hero we deserve @supercars #RepcoSC https://t.co/pjyxmbszLt
— Chad Neylon ?? (@chadneylon) February 26, 2021
Attaboy CL
So, my favourite moment of the day was when @craiglowndes888, without me even prompting him, just gave himself a casual pat on the back on Live TV for sending it around the outside of John Bowe in 1994. So good. Mega to work with the legend! #RepcoSC
— Richard Craill (@Craillsy) February 27, 2021
Where’s Luffy?
Look closely #RepcoSC fans. A Bathurst podium without @WazzaLuff is a very rare sight
— Here Be Branners (@philbranagan) February 27, 2021
Fencing
Some not so lucky getting by this time ’round. #RepcoSC | #TGRA86 pic.twitter.com/xYjZGWoDUw
— JJ (@TomcatNASCAR_2) February 28, 2021
Blame Chad
I’ve decided to leave my car windows slightly open due to the warm sunny forecast. Boy could this go horribly wrong ? #RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/rqaBkcLPyE
— Chad Neylon ?? (@chadneylon) February 27, 2021
Saturday is for the Boys
Cracking open a cold one with the Jordan Boys #RepcoSC
— Goddamit, Kyle (@PatrickPalony) February 28, 2021
He has a Doctorate in Selfies
Sunday #raceday #repcosc pic.twitter.com/pHWS8uXMCS
— Dr Carl Le #COVIDisAirborne (@Dr_Carl) February 28, 2021
MEME
Choose your fighter. #RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/parXdauHz9
— Mitchell Adam (@DrMitchellAdam) February 4, 2021