Going The Distance

The Virgin Australia Supercars Championship goes into long-distance mode with the PIRTEK Enduro Cup, awarded to the combination with the most points across the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, Vodafone Gold Coast 600 and Penrite Oil Sandown 500. And with no leadin endurance event ahead of the Great Race at the Mount Panorama Circuit, the test for the drivers and teams is even greater in 2019.

- James Crocker, Adrian Musolino

The 2019 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship has been dominated by DJR Team Penske and Scott McLaughlin, though the PIRTEK Enduro Cup presents new challenges as the Ford team faces rivals determined to stop the charge of the Mustang.

In a shake-up of an age-old tradition, Bathurst opens the endurance season in October. Without the lead-in endurance event, drivers and teams face a real challenge to get up to speed and deliver at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 at the legendary Mount Panorama Circuit.

Then the show goes to the sun-soaked streets of Surfers Paradise for the Vodafone Gold Coast 600, with the twin races always proving a real challenge. The concrete-lined streets of the oast are a big test for drivers and cars and last year saw the Sunday race oned due to monsoon-like conditions.

The endurance season comes to a close with the Penrite Oil Sandown 500, the qualifying races are always entertaining and will award points for theme in 2019.

The PIRTEK Enduro Cup will be awarded to the driver combination with the points across Bathurst, Gold Coast, and Sandown. These are the contenders at crown…

DJR TEAM PENSKE

The dominant force of the 2019 season will be looking to end a 25-year drought at Bathurst and claim a first PIRTEK Enduro Cup, with the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship drivers’ and teams’ titles also within reach.