Teams vying for PIRTEK Pitstop Challenge finals berth

Four different teams are in line to duke it out for PIRTEK Pitstop Challenge glory as the competition heads into its next qualifying event.

The Robson Civil Projects Townsville SuperSprint will form the sixth regular season round of the challenge, which sees teams score points based on the speed of their pitlane transit time at each race’s compulsory stop.

Reigning winners Brad Jones Racing continue to hold the lead with their #8 entry for Nick Percat, although the Red Bull Holden Racing Team are making a late charge.

Jamie Whincup’s #88 Commodore has shot up to second on the leaderboard by virtue of top two rankings in both Sunday races last weekend.

That puts them ahead of the Penrite Racing #9 Holden, which had mixed fortunes at the opening Townsville event.

Driver David Reynolds benefited from the fastest transit time of the entire weekend in the Saturday race before enduring two slow stops the next day.

Both Shell V-Power Racing Mustangs round out the top five, giving the Ford powerhouse a double-pronged shot at semi-finals later in the year.

Another three pit crews feature in the back half of the 10; the two sets of Tickford Racing garages, and Walkinshaw Andretti United.

The Bryce Fullwood-driven #2 entry was the biggest mover of the round, jumping four spots into 10th after taking the maximum 24 points from the event’s middle race.

With up to 72 competition points on the line at the Robson Civil Projects Townsville SuperSprint, there’s everything to play for this weekend.

PIRTEK Pitstop Challenge leaderboard Round 5 (top 10)

1. R&J Batteries Racing #8 – 259 points

2. Red Bull Holden Racing Team #88 – 250

3. Penrite Racing #9 – 231

4. Shell V-Power Racing #17 – 227

5. Shell V-Power Racing Team #12 – 219

6. Truck Assist Racing #5 – 217

7. Supercheap Auto Racing #55 – 214

8. Brut Military Grade #14 – 204

9. Monster Energy Racing #6 – 187

10. Mobil 1 Middy’s Racing #2 – 185