Hi to all you Supercars Fans around the world!
On the weekend of September 26th and 27th 2020 was the OTR Supersprint at Tailem Bend. It was the second of a double header. The previous race being run there the week before.
This event ran three races, each intended to be 32 laps.
It was a critical event for the season. For the two main contenders, Scott McLaughlin and Jamie Whincup it would be the deciding factor for the Driver’s Championship. They were close enough in points for Jamie Whincup to catch the current championship leader and take the year’s trophy.
In Race 28 Scott McLaughlin started on pole position, alongside him was Cameron Waters.
Race 28 was meant to be 32 laps but it was 31 due to the drivers having to do an extra formation lap. It was an unusual occurrence.
Scott McLaughlin performed a perfect start and got the jump over Cameron Waters into turn 1.
Once Scott McLaughlin took the lead it was hard for anybody else to catch him. He was fast, precise and faultless.
The drivers back in the pack came in early because they were getting held up in traffic.
Rick Kelly got turned around by Todd Hazelwood at turn 1 which put him to the back of the pack.
Scott Pye was up near the front so he stayed out longer.
Fabian Coulthard wanted to finish behind his teammate. He had a poor starting position of 15th but was taking as many places as possible.
In the middle of race Scott McLaughlin was driving confidently and holding his lead. Towards the end of the race Shane Van Gisbergen was on the chase and was giving Scott McLaughlin a hard time. However, Shane Van Gisbergen just couldn’t find the opportunity to take the lead and he simply ran out of time. Without fault Scott McLaughlin crossed the line first. Shane Van Gisbergen was only .6473 seconds behind. Cam Waters came in over 5 seconds later in third place.
Results for Race 28
1st Scott McLaughlin – Shell V-Power Racing Team
2nd Shane Van Gisergen – Red Bull Holden Racing Team
3rd Cameron Waters – Tickford Racing
In Race 29 Scott McLaughlin started on pole position again. Alongside him was teammate, Fabian Coulthard.
Fabian Coulthard got the jump and led into turn 1 for the first couple of laps before letting his teammate past and allowing him to control the race.
The Red Bull Holden Racing Team had a critical mishap during Jamie Whincup’s pit stop. It appeared that he hit the right hand wheel man’s rattle gun with the impact causing the car to drag the air line. The team was penalised 30 points and $1500 fine. However, Jamie Whincup was not fined or penalised himself.
The drivers knew that it was the 2nd last event of 2020 and everyone was out to crush the leader.
In the middle of the race after such a great start, Fabian Coulthard had a DNF due to gear box dramas.
Towards the end of the race Scott McLaughlin held the lead and won his second race in the event. Now there was just one more chance for Jamie Whincup to keep in the running for the championship. Things were getting really tense.
Results for Race 29
1st Scott McLaughlin – Shell V-Power Racing Team
2nd Anton de Pasquale – Penrite Racing
3rd Cameron Waters – Tickford Racing
In Race 30 Scott McLaughlin earned himself his third pole position out of the three races at this event. The bastard looked unstoppable. Alongside him was Cameron Waters.
At the start of the race Cameron Waters amazingly got the jump on Scott McLaughlin and led into turn 1. Its not amazing that Cameron Waters got a great start because he is a great driver but when you are up against Scott McLaughlin, it’s pretty damned hard to take the lead from the start line.
The cars further back in the pack were trying to stay out of trouble. Nobody was interested in last minute contact and risk crucial points in the championship.
Fabian Coulthard who started in P5 was desperate to make up some places and finish 3rd on the posium. As it turned out everyone else wanted the same thing and the competition became fierce. As it turned out Fabian Coulthard dropped 3 places and finished 8th.
In the fierce competition James Courtney wildly lost control and left the track. It cost him dearly. He started in 4th position and finished 10th.
Cameron Waters was the race leader. Scott McLaughlin was on his tail and I am sure wanted make this 3 out of 3 wins for the weekend, but he just couldn’t find the opportunity. Cameron Waters was driving flawlessly. Scott McLaughlin knew even in 2nd place he would be the season’s ‘Champion elect’. He may have simply thought it may not be worth taking any risk with Jamie Whincup right behind him. He just needed to hold him off and get to the finish line safely.
Regardless of anything Cameron Water’s win was spectacular.
Results for Race 30
1st Cameron Waters – Tickford Racing
2nd Scott McLaughlin – Shell V-Power Racing Team
3rd Jamie Whincup – Red Bull Holden Racing Team
The next event is the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000. In 3 weeks time.
The Bathurst channel launches Monday October 12. On Foxsports506 at 12am.