Tyres, formats locked in for Repco SuperSprint

The tyre allocation and race formats for the Repco SuperSprint at The Bend have been decided, as Supercars prepares for a return to South Australia.

The Tailem Bend precinct will host back-to-back rounds this month – the final race meetings before a Bathurst finale – with the Repco-sponsored event to come first on September 19-20.

The Bend will play host to a trio of sprint races, each 24 laps in length.

The single-compound tyre formula will also remain in place, with five sets of softs available to each car from the start of Saturday qualifying.

That opening qualifying session again will be a three-tiered system, although the ARMOR ALL Top 15 Shootout will make a comeback.

The Shootout had been reduced to its traditional 10-car field for both legs of the Townsville doubleheader, having operated with 15 at the first four rounds post-COVID.

It can also be confirmed the International Circuit will play host, as it has done for Supercars’ previous two visits; speculation has linked the OTR SuperSprint the following weekend to The Bend’s shorter West layout.

Scott McLaughlin will enter the Repco SuperSprint with a 143-point lead over Jamie Whincup, at a track where the #17 Shell Mustang took a cleansweep last year.

The 2020 season kicked off with a pre-season test at The Bend and the first championship round on the streets of Adelaide.

Repco SuperSprint at The Bend track schedule (local times)

Saturday September 19

8:00-8:20 – Aussie Tin Tops – Practice 1

8:35-8:55 – Supercars – Rookie-only practice

9:10-9:40 – Supercars – Practice 1

9:50-10:10 – Combined sedans – Practice 1

10:25-10:55 – Supercars – Practice 2

11:05-11:25 – Aussie Tin Tops – Qualifying

11:35-11:55 – Combined sedans – Qualifying

12:10-12:20 – Supercars – Qualifying Part 1 for Race 25

12:30-12:40 – Supercars – Qualifying Part 2 for Race 25

12:50-1:35 – Supercars – Top 15 Shootout for Race 25

2:15-2:45 – Aussie Tin Tops – Race 1

3:15-4:20 – Supercars – Race 25 (24 laps)

4:40-5:00 – Combined sedans – Race 1

Sunday September 20

8:45-9:05 – Combined sedans – Race 2

9:20-9:30 – Supercars – Qualifying for Race 26

9:40-9:50 – Supercars – Qualifying for Race 27

10:25-10:55 – Aussie Tin Tops – Race 2

11:05-11:25 – Combined sedans – Race 3

11:55-1:00 – Supercars – Race 26 (24 laps)

1:25-1:55 – Aussie Tin Tops – Race 3

2:25-3:30 – Supercars – Race 27 (24 laps)