MOTORSPORT: Off-track drama rules Supercars opener

Off-track drama dominated the storylines as the 2023 Repco Supercars Championship kicked off on the weekend with the Thrifty Newcastle 500, the first event under the new Gen3 ruleset.

In the final rundown, both the new Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro registered victories, however, reigning champion Shane van Gisbergen was first across the line at the conclusion of both 250km heats.

The opener however was determined in the stewards office, with the first and second placed Red Bull Ampol Camaros of van Gisbergen and stablemate Broc Feeney found to have illegal cooling boxes fitted, with the duo subsequently disqualified.

The team argued that the modifications had received oral consent pre-event, a point refuted by Supercars Head of Motorsport Adrian Burgess, with the team currently appealing the decision.

The shuffle on the results sheet provided a Mustang one-two, with Cameron Waters leading home Chaz Mostert, with polesitter Brodie Kostecki classified third.

The second race resulted in a grandstand finish, with contrasting tyre strategies seeing van Gisbergen charge at Mostert in the closing stages, taking the lead with five laps remaining after the pair came into contact.

Post-race, van Gisbergen was curt with media questioning, which was seemingly in response to feedback from earlier comments he made regarding the Gen3 platform.

“I tried to just knuckle down and focus and then I said a lot of stuff yesterday, tried to open up a bit more and then maybe it bit me in the arse," said van Gisbergen in the press conference.

"I just said the truth about the cars I guess, tried to be honest, and it goes down the wrong way, so I'll focus on my driving."

Mostert meanwhile leaves the event leading the point standings, mirroring his performance from the 2022 season opener.

“It’s pretty cool to leave here with a couple of trophies and the championship lead, to consider where we have come from in the last eight weeks to where we are now it’s incredible,” said Mostert.

“It’s a testament to the entire team, not only the ones at the track and the workshop but the families at home as well, because it’s been hard on every single one of them – we owe them a lot.”

Other strong performers from the event included David Reynolds, who scorched to the Sunday pole position, and held on for third in the race, Andre Heimgartner, who proved consistent for Brad Jones Racing, and James Golding, who finished fourth on Sunday for the underdog Premiair Hire squad.

In the woes were the Shell V-Power Racing Mustangs of Will Davison and Anton De Pasquale, who finished the weekend 16th and 17th respectively in points, while Tickford Racing had an expensive Sunday, with James Courtney crashing out of the top-ten shootout and not starting the race, while rookie teammate Declan Fraser crashed before crossing the start line, necessitating a red flag for wall repairs.

The Supercars Championship continues at Albert Park as a part of the Australian Grand Prix from March 30 to April 2.

Race 1 – 95 laps:

Race 2 – 89 laps:

Championship points: