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!rowspan="6 |[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
!rowspan="6 |[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
|rowspan="6" |{{nowrap|[[Ford Mustang (sixth generation)|Ford FN Mustang]]<ref name="autosport mustang"/>}}
|rowspan="6" |{{nowrap|[[Ford Mustang (sixth generation)|Ford Mustang S550]]<ref name="autosport mustang"/>}}
|rowspan="3"|[[Tickford Racing]]{{efn|For points-scoring purposes, [[Tickford Racing]] is divided into two teams.}}
|rowspan="3"|[[Tickford Racing]]{{efn|For points-scoring purposes, [[Tickford Racing]] is divided into two teams.}}
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Revision as of 04:57, 2 December 2018

Scott McLaughlin (photographed in 2013) will be the defending drivers' champion.
Triple Eight Race Engineering will start the season as the defending teams' champions.

The 2019 Supercars Championship (known for commercial reasons as the 2019 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship)[1] is a planned motor racing series for Supercars. It is due to be the twenty-first running of the Supercars Championship and the twenty-third series in which Supercars have contested the Australian Touring Car Championship, the premier title in Australian motorsport.

Scott McLaughlin will be the defending driver's champion. Triple Eight Race Engineering will be the defending team's champions.

Teams and drivers

The following teams and drivers are under contract to compete in the 2019 championship. Unless confirmed otherwise, car numbers are presumed to carry over from 2018.

Championship entries
Manufacturer Model Entrant No. Driver name
Ford Ford Mustang S550[2] Tickford Racing[a] 6 Australia Cameron Waters[3]
55 Australia Chaz Mostert[4]
56 TBA
DJR Team Penske[5] 12 New Zealand Fabian Coulthard[6]
17 New Zealand Scott McLaughlin[7][8]
23Red Racing[5][b] 230 Australia Will Davison[9]
Holden Holden ZB Commodore Walkinshaw Andretti United 2 Australia Scott Pye[10]
22 Australia James Courtney[3]
Brad Jones Racing 8 Australia Nick Percat[11]
14 Australia Tim Slade[11]
Erebus Motorsport 9 Australia David Reynolds[3]
99 Australia Anton de Pasquale[12]
Charlie Schwerkolt Racing[13] 18 Australia Mark Winterbottom[14]
Tekno Autosports[13] 19 Australia Jack Le Brocq[15]
Tim Blanchard Racing[16][c] 21 TBA
Garry Rogers Motorsport 33 Australia Garth Tander[17]
34 Australia James Golding[17]
Matt Stone Racing[18] 35 Australia Todd Hazelwood[19]
Triple Eight Race Engineering 88 Australia Jamie Whincup[3]
97 New Zealand Shane van Gisbergen[3]
Nissan Nissan Altima L33 Kelly Racing[20][d] 7 TBA
15 Australia Rick Kelly[21]
23 TBA
78 Switzerland Simona de Silvestro[22]

Manufacturer changes

Ford will introduce the Mustang S550 as a replacement for the FG X Falcon.

The sixth generation Ford Mustang, the Mustang S550, is due to be homologated for the 2019 championship. The Mustang will be a replacement for the FG X Falcon, which was used between 2015 and 2018.[2] Tickford Racing and DJR Team Penske will oversee the development of the car, with Ford Performance providing additional technical support.[23][24][25] Ford Australia will provide financial support in developing the car, but no team will officially be recognised as a factory team.[26] The homologation process will require modifications to the bodywork to fit the series' control chassis, but the car will continue to use the V8 engine used by the FG X Falcon.[27][28] The decision to return the Mustang to the series was made as Australia's domestic production of the Ford Falcon ceased in 2016.[29] The Mustang's return marks the first time since 1990 that a Mustang has contested the premier class of Australian motorsport.[30]

Nissan withdrew its factory support from the championship at the end of 2018 as the company elected to change its global motorsport strategy and focus on its Formula E entry. Kelly Racing—who raced under the Nissan Motorsport name between 2013 and 2018—will continue to compete with the Altima L33 chassis under licence from the company.[20][31] Nissan's decision to withdraw from the championship followed the Altima being withdrawn from sale in Australia in 2017.[32]

Team changes

The number of entries will reduce from twenty-six to twenty-four with both Tickford Racing and Triple Eight Race Engineering returning a Racing Entitlement Contract (REC) to the sport's management.[13][33][34] 23Red Racing formed a partnership with Tickford Racing that will see them become a satellite team of Tickford.[35]

Matt Stone Racing will upgrade from a VF Commodore to a ZB Commodore.[18]

Driver changes

Craig Lowndes retired from full-time competition at the end of the 2018 championship.[36] He will remain with Triple Eight Race Engineering as an endurance driver.[37] Tim Blanchard likewise stepped down from full-time competition at the end of the 2018 championship.[16]

Lee Holdsworth left Charlie Schwerkolt Racing at the end of the 2018 championship.[38] His seat will be filled by Mark Winterbottom, who left Tickford Racing.[39]

Calendar

The calendar was reduced to fifteen rounds in 2019, with the following events scheduled to take place:

Round Event Circuit Location Dates
1 Adelaide 500 South Australia Adelaide Street Circuit Adelaide, South Australia 2–3 March
2 Melbourne 400 Victoria (state) Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit Melbourne, Victoria 15–17 March
3 Tasmania SuperSprint Tasmania Symmons Plains Raceway Launceston, Tasmania 6–7 April
4 Phillip Island SuperSprint Victoria (state) Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit Phillip Island, Victoria 13–14 April
5 Perth SuperNight Western Australia Barbagallo Raceway Pinjar, Western Australia 3–4 May
6 Winton SuperSprint Victoria (state) Winton Motor Raceway Benalla, Victoria 25–26 May
7 Darwin Triple Crown Northern Territory Hidden Valley Raceway Darwin, Northern Territory 15–16 June
8 Townsville 400 Queensland Townsville Street Circuit Townsville, Queensland 6–7 July
9 Ipswich SuperSprint Queensland Queensland Raceway Ipswich, Queensland 27–28 July
10 The Bend SuperSprint South Australia The Bend Motorsport Park Tailem Bend, South Australia 24–25 August
11 Auckland SuperSprint New Zealand Pukekohe Park Raceway Pukekohe, Auckland Region 14–15 September
12 Bathurst 1000 New South Wales Mount Panorama Circuit Bathurst, New South Wales 13 October
13 Gold Coast 600 Queensland Surfers Paradise Street Circuit Surfers Paradise, Queensland 26–27 October
14 Sandown 500 Victoria (state) Sandown Raceway Springvale, Victoria 10 November
15 Newcastle 500 New South Wales Newcastle Street Circuit Newcastle, New South Wales 23–24 November
Source:[40]

Calendar changes

The 2019 calendar underwent a radical revision compared to the 2018 calendar. The Sydney SuperNight 300 was removed from the calendar entirely and will be replaced by a new night race at Barbagallo Raceway. The change was made with the long-term view to running the Sydney round in January 2020 as part of a proposed move to a "summer series" format that would see the championship run primarily in the summer months.[40]

The Sandown 500 will move to a late-season slot in November, becoming the final round of the Pirtek Enduro Cup, to avoid clashing with the AFL and NRL finals series. The Auckland SuperSprint will be brought forward to September, making the Sandown 500 the penultimate round of the championship.[40] Changes to the Formula One calendar meant that the Australian Grand Prix will be run earlier in the year than it was in 2018, and thus the Supercars support races will also move forward. The Adelaide 500 was subsequently brought forward to keep its season-opening berth.

Format changes

The Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit event format reverted to a SuperSprint format after two years of two 250 kilometre races known as the Phillip Island 500.[41]

Notes

  1. ^ For points-scoring purposes, Tickford Racing is divided into two teams.
  2. ^ 23Red Racing is a satellite team of Tickford Racing; 23Red Racing own the Racing Entitlement Contract for car #230, while Tickford Racing runs the car and oversees trackside activities on itsbehalf.
  3. ^ Tim Blanchard Racing is a satellite team of Brad Jones Racing; Tim Blanchard Racing own the Racing Entitlement Contract for car #21, while Brad Jones Racing runs the car and oversees trackside activities on its behalf.
  4. ^ For points-scoring purposes, Kelly Racing is divided into two teams.

References

  1. ^ "V8 Supercars confirm Virgin as primary backer". speedcafe.com. Speedcafe. 27 April 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  2. ^ a b van Leeuwen, Andrew (17 April 2018). "Ford revives works Supercars programme with Mustang for 2019". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e Adam, Mitchell (22 February 2018). "Dane relaxed about end-of-2019 driver deals". supercars.com. Supercars. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  4. ^ Dale, Will (22 January 2018). "Supercars: Chaz Mostert, Supercheap Auto stick with Tickford Racing until 2019". news.com.au. News Corporation. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  5. ^ a b Coch, Mat (18 April 2018). "All Ford teams set to switch to Mustang for 2019". speedcafe.com. Speedcafe. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  6. ^ Bartholomaeus, Stefan (26 July 2018). "DJRTP confirms Coulthard for 2019". supercars.com. Supercars. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  7. ^ "DJRTP begins work on McLaughlin Mustang". speedcafe.com. Speedcafe. 18 August 2018. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  8. ^ "McLaughlin elects to stay with famous #17 for 2019". speedcafe.com. Speedcafe. 27 November 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
  9. ^ Adam, Mitchell (8 December 2017). "23Red Racing secures major sponsor for debut". supercars.com. Supercars. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  10. ^ "Pye: No concerns over Walkinshaw future". speedcafe.com. Speedcafe. 9 November 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  11. ^ a b Coch, Mat (26 April 2018). "Percat signs two-year extension with BJR". speedcafe.com. Speedcafe. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  12. ^ Howard, Tom (20 June 2018). "Erebus eyes long future with rising star". speedcafe.com. Speedcafe. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  13. ^ a b c "Doubts over Stanaway future as Tickford works on 2019 plan". speedcafe.com. Speedcafe. 4 November 2018.
  14. ^ Winterbottom’s Holden switch confirmed for 2019 Supercars 22 November 2018
  15. ^ Le Brocq expecting 2019 Tekno return Supercars 9 November 2018
  16. ^ a b "Blanchard to step away from full-time Supercars racing". speedcafe.com. Speedcafe. 30 October 2018. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
  17. ^ a b "James Golding and Garth Tander confirmed for GRM in 2019". TouringCarTimes. 17 October 2018. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  18. ^ a b Howard, Tom (13 August 2018). "Matt Stone Racing ditches Ford for Holden". speedcafe.com. Speedcafe. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
  19. ^ "Ex-Whincup Commodore for Hazelwood". supercars.com. Supercars Championship. 28 November 2018. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  20. ^ a b Howard, Tom (15 May 2018). "Nissan to withdraw Supercars support, Altimas to continue". speedcafe.com. Speedcafe. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  21. ^ Jacobson closer than ever to main game chance Supercars 10 November 2018
  22. ^ "Simona de Silvestro signs Supercars deal". sbs.com.au. Special Broadcasting Service. 9 June 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  23. ^ Coch, Mat (17 April 2018). "Ford Performance in partnership with DJRTP/Tickford". speedcafe.com. Speedcafe. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  24. ^ van Leeuwen, Andrew (18 April 2018). "Ford Performance offers first teaser image of Supercars Mustang". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  25. ^ Coch, Mat (26 April 2018). "Ford Performance focused on Supercars". speedcafe.com. Speedcafe. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  26. ^ Coch, Mat (17 April 2018). "Tickford boss enthused by Ford's Supercars return". speedcafe.com. Speedcafe. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  27. ^ Herrero, Dan (19 April 2018). "Story explains Mustang development process". speedcafe.com. Speedcafe. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  28. ^ Herrero, Dan (17 April 2018). "Mustang Supecar to run with V8 engine". speedcafe.com. Speedcafe. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  29. ^ Herrero, Dan (18 April 2018). "Ford announces Mustang for NASCAR Cup Series". speedcafe.com. Speedcafe. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  30. ^ Noonan, Aaron (5 April 2017). "Rewind: The Last Mustang". The V8 Sleuth. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  31. ^ van Leeuwen, Andrew (15 May 2018). "Nissan to end works Supercars programme after 2018 season". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  32. ^ "Nissan axes Altima". Motoring.com.au. 5 April 2017.
  33. ^ "Burgess: Improving sustainability key for Supercars future". speedcafe.com. Speedcafe. 26 October 2018.
  34. ^ "Triple Eight confirms two-car team for 2019". supercars.com. Supercars Championship. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  35. ^ Tickford confirms 23Red Racing tie-up Speedcafe 30 November 2018
  36. ^ Howard, Tom (6 July 2018). "Lowndes to retire at end of season". speedcafe.com. Speedcafe. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  37. ^ "Craig Lowndes announces retirement". abc.net.au. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Australian Associated Press. 6 July 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  38. ^ "Whincup praises Winterbottom's big call". speedcafe.com. Speedcafe. 2 November 2018. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  39. ^ Adam, Mitchell. "Winterbottom's Holden switch confirmed for 2019". Supercars. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  40. ^ a b c Howard, Tom (11 October 2018). "Sydney dropped, Perth night race added in Supercars 2019 shake up". speedcafe.com. Speedcafe. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  41. ^ Howard, Tom (29 November 2018). "Supercars scraps Gold Coast format change". speedcafe.com. Speedcafe. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
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