The Prebrief: Penrite Oil Sandown SuperSprint
The home of horsepower plays host to the Penrite Oil Sandown SuperSprint this weekend as the championship visits the oldest permanent race track in the country, which also played host to Australia’s first car race in 1904.
David Reynolds scored a podium here last year in wet conditions and he may encounter similar conditions again this weekend with Lee Holdsworth, with mixed weather typical of Melbourne at this time of year forecast.
Holdsworth’s Co-driver, and Grove Racing Super2 pilot Matt Payne will drive car #10 on Friday Afternoon in the dedicated co-driver session. Matt Campbell, who will pair up with Reynolds at Bathurst, won’t run on Friday as his busy overseas GT racing schedule with Porsche prevented him from getting back to Australia.
The Circuit: Based around the outside of a horse racing track in Melbourne’s outer suburbs, this 3.1km layout has two long straights leading into left hand corners that always provide good passing opportunities.
Cars reach top speeds of 270km/h on the long back straight which has been scene of some of the biggest Supercars crashes ever, just take a look on YouTube!
Race Format: Three sprint races, one on Saturday afternoon and two on Sunday.
A co-driver practice session will take place on Friday afternoon.
The Weather: Cold, windy and a constant threat of rain at different stages from Friday to Sunday.
Race times: Saturday @ 4:45pm and
Sunday @1.00pm and 4:20pm AEST
Supercars Lap Record: Shane Van Gisbergen 1:08.2440 (2019)
Watch: Every Session Live on Foxtel and Kayo
Championship positions: Reynolds 7th, Holdsworth 13th.
Teams championship – 5th
Reynolds says: “Sandown has got heaps of character, there’s plenty of bumps which makes it a challenge and we’re right in the heart of Melbourne. I always enjoy racing here.
Holdsworth says: “Sandown is one of the great rounds. It’s bumpy, low in grip, high speed, weather always plays a huge part, plus it has an amazing history. Given its my 500th it’ll be a special one and I’ll make the most of the milestone event!”
Cauchi says: “Sandown is a big weekend for us on and off the track with Penrite the naming rights sponsor for the event and it being Lees 500th race, which is a massive achievement for a driver. It’s a tough very championship so survive that long is a credit to him.”
“On the track weather will play a factor at some stage so as an engineering group we have prepared for that. Our cars have been quick in the wet this year which is a nice upside depending on how it plays out.
“The key to winning at this track is having a car that can get up and down the straights as fast as you can as the majority of the lap is full throttle. It’s quite bumpy as well and the kerbs are big so in some ways its like a street circuit but without the walls lining the track.
The Sprint race format will provide some exciting racing and as a team we want to have consistent top 10 results this weekend and limit mistakes to build some momentum’ going into the endurance season.”
