Sydney SuperNight Preview

3 Aug, 2018

The Sydney SuperNight event is the first night race on the Supercars calendar since 1997. The 300km format is the longest single driver event of the year, and the win is worth a whopping 300 points, making it a possible game changer with the endurance season just around the corner.
 
The elimination style qualifying format as seen at Symmons Plains and Perth earlier this year is back on the agenda for this event. This has been a hit with drivers and fans alike. The breakdown on how these sessions work can be found further below!
 
All sessions will be LIVE on FOX Sports across the weekend with a highlights package on Channel Ten/One HD. Check your local guides for times.
 
TRACK TIMES

Friday 3^rd August

18:00 – 18:40 – Practice One

Saturday 4^th August

13:20 – 13:50 – Practice Two

16:20 – 16:30 – Qualifying Part One

16:35 – 16:45 – Qualifying Part Two

16:50 – 17:00 – Qualifying Part Three

19:20 – 21:40 – Race 21 – 300kms / 77 Laps
 
HOW QUALIFYING WORKS 

Qualifying 1 – The drivers that finished 11^th to 26^th in the applicable practice standings hit the track for 10 minutes. From that group of 16, the fastest six progress to Qualifying 2, while the others will positions 17^th to 26^th.

Qualifying 2 – The top 10 drivers from practice join the action, with the fastest six from Qualifying 1. From the times set in this ten-minute segment, the top 10 progress to Qualifying 3, while the others will positions 11^th to 16^th.

Qualifying 3 – The top 10 drivers from Qualifying 2 fight it out for Pole Position, setting the first five rows of the grid in the process.
 
This format provides a new challenge to the teams, and with the top ten from practice automatically going through to the second session, drivers are more eager than ever to put a good time on the board!
 
FAST FACTS
- Track Length – 3.91km // Direction – Anti-Clockwise // Fastest Speed – 256km/h // Average Speed – 154km/h

- Qualifying Lap Record – 1m28.2259s, Scott McLaughlin, DJR Team Penske, 2017, Ford Falcon FGX

- Race Lap Record – 1m30.1577s, Chaz Mostert, Prodrive Racing, 2017, Ford Falcon FGX

 
- Tim had his best weekend at SMP last year, finishing 10^th and 13^th in the two races, he qualified 23^rd for both.

- The safety car has appeared in 17 of the 52 races held at SMP/Eastern Creek – 34% of all races

- SMP is another track that Tim has a 100% finishing rate

- The last six races at SMP have been won by cars not starting on pole position

- The first ever touring car race held at Eastern Creek/SMP was a 500-kilometre endurance race run on a Saturday afternoon in November 1990. It was won by the Commodore of Larry Perkins and Tomas Mezera
 
MEET TIM

Saturday 4^th August

11:30 – 12:00 @ Team CoolDrive Stand, Merchandise Alley