DJR TEAM PENSKE VS TRIPLE EIGHT
Triple Eight Race Engineering has dominated Supercars for over a decade. And its place at the top was only strengthened by being awarded sole Holden funding in 2017. But DJR Team Penske is now hitting its strides and presents Triple Eight with its biggest challenge yet in Supercars.
Star Wars maestro George Lucas couldn’t have scripted the 2017 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship better.
The incumbent pack leader Triple Eight Race Engineering has dominated the series for the past decade, rewarded by being anointed as the Holden factory team, giving it the sole might of the manufacturers’ support. However, a new arrival, Team Penske, comes from a land far, far away and arguably brings with it powers and riches never before seen in this country. And, just like the intergalactic combat of Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker, the war between Triple Eight’s Roland Dane and DJR Team Penske’s Ryan Story is set to explode.
The on-track battles between the Red Bull Holden Racing Team entries of Shane van Gisbergen and Jamie Whincup and DJR Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin and Fabian Coulthard may be what we see, but rest assured the war between the personnel under the headsets is just as fierce.
Red Bull Holden Racing Team boss Dane has declared that he and his team will not give up their position as leader of the pack without a fight.
Dane, the uncompromising architect of Triple Eight’s dominance of Supercars, actually appears primed for the challenge that has been thrown down by DJR Team Penske this season.
“We’ve been the clear leader for a long time; nobody’s won anything like the number of races (that we have) over more than a decade,” declares Dane.
“We are enjoying the challenge because we had a big challenge a couple of years ago from Prodrive Racing Australia, but that petered out for one reason or another last year. And when you fight hard for the wins and even podiums it’s very satisfying when you achieve them, so we’re more than happy to fight.
This story is from the June - July 2017 edition of V8X Supercar Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June - July 2017 edition of V8X Supercar Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The F1 Legends At The Mountain
The recently departed Sir Stirling Moss is recognised as the best Formula 1 driver never to win the drivers’ world championship, but his illustrious career extended to many other categories, including an often forgotten appearance in the Bathurst 1000 alongside another legend of the sport.
Right On Track: Sprinting Back Into Action
The Virgin Australia Supercars Championship returns with shorter sprint races on the reworked calendar in 2020.
Beyond The Wheel: Racing Virtually
Racing online in the BP Supercars All Stars Eseries was a new experience for me. While there were some carryover traits from racing in real life, there were also some significant differences.
Top 10 Seasons
Top 10 Seasons
The Inside Story: The New Normal
As we prepare for the return of racing, the whole Supercars pitlane is wondering how things will look. And work.
Top 10 (Multi-Car) Crashes
10 mount panorama circuit 2014
TOP 10 MAKES
TOP 10 MAKES
VIRTUAL MOVES
The BP Supercars All Stars Eseries provided some racing during the suspension of the season, paving the way for more regular virtual contests.
VIRTUAL REALITY
The BP Supercars All Stars Eseries has paved the way for Supercars to further embrace virtual racing, opening up an important avenue to attract and engage with new audiences for the category
1960 – 2020 TOP 60 DRIVERS
Who are the greatest drivers in the 60-year history of the Australian Touring Car Championship/Supercars? We rank the top 60 with an emphasis on best championship finishes, race-winning percentage and competitive longevity. Only drivers with top 10 championship finishes were considered, to emphasise championship performances over part-time or endurance campaigns. Also, results from the Bathurst 1000 and other endurance events were only factored in when they were part of the championship.
