Percat primed for gruelling Townsville races

Nick Percat is ‘fuelled’ by the challenge of the first long-distance racing since March.

The NTI Townsville 500, the second street circuit event of the season, will be headlined by two 250km-long, 88-lap races.

It comes after five straight SuperSprint events, which are comprised of 100km-long sprints.

The first street circuit round of 2022, Albert Park, staged four quick-fire races.

The car-killing Reid Park venue is a greater challenge once fatigue sets in amid heavy tyre wear.

For Percat, it will separate the boys from the men.

“It’s hard to do a whole race distance,” he said.

“We’re coming off a string of sprint rounds, where the races are shorter.

“Coming back Sunday morning after a long race on Saturday, there’ll be a few sore bodies.

“It fuels me even more because I love the challenge of getting back in Sunday morning.

“You’ve got to qualify again and do over 70 laps of this gruelling track. Street tracks are hard enough; throw a long race into the mix, just adds to it.

“I expect a few more mistakes from the driver’s side of things. Just surviving... it’s so easy to make a mistake.

"You miss one of your marks by five centimetres, it’s all over.”

Supercars drivers will tackle their first 250km-length races since March’s Beaurepaires Sydney SuperNight.

The forthcoming Townsville event will also feature refuelling, adding another curveball for teams and drivers.

Percat on track with BJR last year

Percat, who scored a maiden pole in Townsville back in 2020, knows commitment is required should he wring out a first podium for Walkinshaw Andretti United.

"The first street track of the year, it’s pretty exciting for us drivers,” Percat said.

“You’ve got to commit hard… anyone who shies away on a lap doesn’t get the result they want.

"Having full confidence in the car, trusting the grip level, sliding the car up to the walls, folding mirrors in.

"All the fun stuff we do in the car is exaggerated in Townsville. It’s a mega lap.

"When you cross the line at the end of the lap, you’ve earned it.”

Percat is 15th in the points heading to the July 8-10 NTI Townsville 500.

The 2022 season will resume at the NTI Townsville 500. Purchase your tickets now.