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The Bend: Getting Round It

If last year is anything to go by then the Red Bull Holden Racing Team seemed to have it all figured out at The Bend.

With several big ticks to their name from 2018 – two race wins, two pole positions and two front row block outs for the races – some would say just do it all again.

But this is motorsport and with changes to the track it will be more of a stay on your toes and think quick philosophy.

“A lot has happened in the year,” said Shane ‘SVG’ van Gisbergen.

“Jamie and I raced there a couple of months ago for the GT series and the track is fairly different in comparison to last year.

“It will be a completely different outlook heading into this weekend, but I am sure we will hopefully get on top of it fairly quick,” he said.

 

 

And from an engineering perspective, time isn’t always on your side.

“You don’t often retain that kind of dominance for long as other teams have had time to think about it and no doubt will turn up with a better package than they had last year,” said Car #88 Race Engineer, David Cauchi.

“We are going there feeling positive that we have improved our package, but we also know we still have more to come as the car is still far from refined.”

 

 

Meanwhile, Jamie ‘J-Dub’ Whincup will go into this round as the only Supercar driver to have claimed pole position at The Bend.

That’s right both pole positions in 2018 – no pressure!

“We would be disappointed if we weren’t as competitive as everybody else next weekend considering our pace there last year and where the cars are currently at against the rest of the field,” said J-Dub.

“The current vibe is that the car pace is improving which is great and we just need to keep our heads down and stay on the path of improving the cars.

“The sun started to come out in Queensland, so we are in a very good place heading into Tailem Bend,” he said.

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With not much Supercars history to its name (only the second time we are seeing The Bend on the calendar), The Bend Motorsport Park has still managed to drum up some enthusiasm among our drivers.

“They did an amazing last year for their first event with lots of campers and lots of hardcore racing fans turning out which was awesome,” said SVG.

“The track is fantastic, its’ one of the best tracks we go to and the event is growing with momentum,” said J-Dub.

“It will be one of the best on the calendar, especially with the 500 there next year no doubt will make it a cracker.”

 

Watch us ‘round The Bend from Friday August 23rd with live updates on our Twitter account.

 

Jamie’s Predictions for The Bend

Fastest lap time on the track – 01:50.65

Who’s the one to watch in The Bend – Tim Slade

Biggest Challenge in The Bend – Qualifying well.

Three words to describe The Bend – One of the best.

Favourite moment in The Bend – Qualifying on pole position both days in 2018.

 

OTR SuperSprint event 11 of the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship, Tailem Bend, South Australia. Australia. August 26th 2018

 

Shane’s Predictions for The Bend:

Fastest lap time on the track – 1:48.07

Who’s the one to watch in The Bend – The dust.

Biggest Challenge in The Bend – Hard tyre.

Three words to describe The Bend – Middle of nowhere.

Favourite moment in The Bend – Triple Eight winning both races in 2018.

 

OTR SuperSprint event 11 of the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship, Tailem Bend, South Australia. Australia. August 24th to 26th 2018 OTR SuperSprint event 11 of the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship, Tailem Bend, South Australia. Australia. August 26th 2018