The 'gnarly' challenge facing drivers in Sydney
Drivers are bracing for a Supercars first at this weekend’s ARMOR ALL Sydney SuperNight.
This weekend’s event will feature two night races; with the lingering threat of inclement weather, both could be affected by rain.
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Showers are forecast across both days of this weekend's event.
All 13 previous night races in ATCC/Supercars history have been held in dry conditions.
The floodlit Race 20 at last weekend’s Bunnings Trade Sydney SuperNight was held under cool conditions, just hours after warm tailwinds lashed Sydney Motorsport Park.
Jamie Whincup, who won night races at Abu Dhabi in 2010 and 2011, was wary of the challenge.
“I’ve never driven a race car in the wet at night,” Whincup told Supercars.com.
“But the guys and girls that I’ve spoken to that have, it’s pretty gnarly, the spray with the lights is another level again.
“It’s the same for everyone, it’s a challenge. Obviously if it gets too bad, we will postpone it later in the night or the next day.
“Hopefully a bit of rain, the glares not too bad and we can get it done.”
Drivers last raced in the wet at Sandown in March
Drivers must use both Dunlop tyre compounds in the race during this weekend's event, unless a race is declared wet.
For the first time in 2021, the Hard and Soft tyres will be used at the same weekend, throwing another key strategy play into the mix.
However, should it rain, everything will be reset - and it will boil down to being on the most suitable rubber for conditions at hand.
"It's the same race track for everyone," CoolDrive Racing Team Manager Brendan Hogan told Supercars.com.
"We've all got the same tyres at the start of the weekend.
There will be two night races this weekend
"It's going to come down to who makes the right call, and who's on the right tyre at the right time."
The 2021 Repco Supercars Championship will resume this weekend at the ARMOR ALL Sydney SuperNight.
Every session of the Sydney Motorsport Park event will be broadcast live on Foxtel (Fox Sports 506) and streamed on Kayo from 12:30pm AEDT on both days.
The Seven Network will showcase highlights of the event.
Tickets for the three upcoming Sydney events are on sale now.
