The 2021 Repco Supercars Championship is almost here, with the official season launch taking place at Mount Panorama ahead of this weekend’s opening round.
This year looks to be one of the biggest seasons in recent years with 12 rounds to make up the calendar, the addition of the Seven Network and extra fan engagement throughout the year just some of the key changes announced for 2021.
With all drivers were present at the launch, Supercars CEO Sean Seamer shared his excitement for the year ahead.
“We welcome Channel Seven for 2021 through to 2025,” Seamer said of the new broadcast deal.
“We are also putting in a lot of effort to get our fans back to the track this year - from campers to grandstands, park and view, track walks, pit access - we want them back and we are looking forward to seeing them all over Australia and New Zealand.
“We are going night racing in Sydney later in the year and it’s the first time that the track will be fully lit up and not only do we have another Bathurst round this year, but we get to finish on the Gold Coast so we can expect a big party.”
“There is plenty of going on at Supercars and we can’t wait to bring you along for the journey.”
Ahead of what will be his final Supercars season after almost two decades, seven-time champion Jamie Whincup also spoke at the launch.
”There are 22 plus drivers already ready to go. It’s going to be a massive year,” Whincup said.
“I’ve never seen so many changes occur between teams, drivers and engineers, so we ‘re pumped to get underway in a few days' time.
“I will try and win as many races as I can this year. I wouldn't have entered this year if I didn’t think I had a chance to win my eighth title.
“I think it's’ going to be as close as ever. The more we run this current car, the more competitive it gets and the more even it becomes. It really is going to be a battle to the end.”
The 12-round season gets underway this weekend with the Mount Panorama 500 to take place the iconic home of Australian motorsport, in what will be a milestone race. This is the first time in 50 years Bathurst has hosted both a season finale (2020) and a first round (2021) in succession.
Schedule
Friday 26 February
12:25-1:05pm – Practice 1
4:10-4:50pm – Practice 2
Fox Sports 506/Kayo: 11:30am – 5:30pm
Saturday 27 February
9:10-9:25am– Qualifying Race 1
12:10-12:50pm – Armor All Top Ten Shootout Race 1
3:00-4:50pm – Race 1
Fox Sports 506/Kayo: 7:25am - 5:15pm
Seven: 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Sunday 28 February
9:10-9:25am– Qualifying Race 2
12:10-12:50pm – Armor All Top Ten Shootout Race
3:00-4:50pm – Race 2
Fox Sports 506/Kayo: 8:25am - 6:00pm
Seven: 12:00pm – 5:00pm
(All times are marked as local Australian Eastern Delayed Time)
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The Grid
There has been plenty of movement during the off season with four new drivers coming in, drivers going out and many switching teams in between.
Most notably, Anton De Pasquale and Will Davison make up the new DJR after Scott McLaughlin’s exit and Fabian Coulthard’s move to Team Sydney.
David Reynolds joins Kelly Grove Racing to lead their two-prong attack as Rick Kelly called it quits at the end of 2020. Replacing Reynolds and De Pasquale at Erebus Motorsport will be young stars Will Brown and Brodie Kostecki.
Photo: Kelly Grove Racing
Tim Slade marks his return to the championship in the one-car Tim Blanchard Racing outfit, while Zane Goddard and Jack Kostecki will enjoy their own drives in 2021 as Matt Stone Racing opt for two cars.
#2 Holden Commodore ZB - Bryce Fullwood
#3 Ford Mustang - Tim Slade
#4 Holden Commodore ZB - Jack Smith
#5 Ford Mustang - Jack Le Brocq
#6 Ford Mustang - Cameron Waters
#7 Ford Mustang - Andre Heimgartner
#8 Holden Commodore ZB - Nick Percat
#9 Holden Commodore ZB - Will Brown
#11 Ford Mustang - Anton De Pasquale
#14 Holden Commodore ZB - Todd Hazelwood
#17 Ford Mustang - Will Davison
#18 Holden Commodore ZB - Mark Winterbottom
#19 Holden Commodore ZB – Fabian Coulthard
#20 Holden Commodore ZB - Scott Pye
#22 Holden Commodore ZB - Garry Jacobson
#25 Holden Commodore ZB - Chaz Mostert
#26 Ford Mustang - David Reynolds
#34 Holden Commodore ZB – Jake Kostecki
#35 Holden Commodore ZB – Zane Goddard
#44 Ford Mustang – James Courtney
#88 Holden Commodore ZB - Jamie Whincup
#96 Holden Commodore ZB - Macauley Jones
#97 Holden Commodore ZB - Shane van Gisbergen
#99 Holden Commodore ZB - Brodie Kostecki