The Prebrief: Valo Adelaide 500
A good old fashioned street fight is on the menu for Penrite Racing as Supercars finish off the 2023 season with the welcome return of the Adelaide 500 this weekend.
After two-year hiatus, one of the most popular events in the series history makes its comeback. Once the site of the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, this circuit is rich in motorsport history and was the scene of many world title showdown between the giants of F1 in the 1980’s and 1990’s.
It was also the scene of some of Ayrton Senna’s best work with the first corner chicane, where Supercars get sensationally airborne, named in his honour.
Since becoming a Supercars event in 1999 this weekend will be the first time the championship has finished at the venue and Penrite Racing is locked in a fierce head-to-head battle with Erebus Motorsport. Whoever comes out on top will take home a top five finish in the team’s championship.
Last time out David Reynolds scored an uplifting pole position on the Gold Coast and is looking to continue his street circuit form. While on the other side of the garage Lee Holdsworth is amped up for his final appearance as a full-time Supercars driver in a career spanning 510 race starts.
This weekend will also be the final race for the current generation of car before Gen3 begins next year with the new Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro.
A new face in the Penrite garage at Adelaide will be Bathurst and Championship winning engineer Grant Mcpherson, who begins his role as Technical Director.
THE LOWDOWN – 2022 VALO ADELAIDE 500
Holdsworth says: “We always get a massive crowd at Adelaide which makes it a really special event to race at. Adelaide is a hardcore track, every single lap you approach turn 8 hoping you make it though the other side and if you do there’s a great opportunity to pass at the hairpin.
“The new surface makes things different, and it looks similar to the Melbourne Grand Prix circuit which suited our cars.”
Reynolds says: “I’m so happy we’ve come back to race in Adelaide. Turn 8 is scary, you psyche yourself up for 78 laps every time you approach that corner, it’s so difficult to approach.
“I love street circuits and we’re so focussed on finishing off the season top five in the team’s championship to cap off what has been a pretty solid year for us.”
The Circuit: 3.220km in length this concrete lined street circuit and is situated in the Adelaide Parklands next to the CBD. It allows very little margin for error and has a little bit of everything which makes it a favourite for drivers. Freshly resurfaced for this 2022, expect lap records to come under threat.
Race Format: This four-day event features two 250km races. One each on Saturday and Sunday with a top 10 shootout before each race. Cars are on track for Practice from Thursday.
The Weather: Sunny with no rain from Thursday to Sunday. Tops of 33 degrees during the middle of the day.
Race times: Saturday @ 3:45pm AEDT and Sunday @ 3:15pm AEDT
Supercars Lap Record: 1:19.295s set during qualifying in 2017 by Shane Van Gisbergen
Watch: Live and Free on Channel 7 – Every Session Live on Foxtel and Kayo
Championship positions: Reynolds 7th, Holdsworth 13th.
Teams championship – 5th
