'That's not going to happen here': Teams double down on Finals tactics

Team tactics have become something of a buzz word in the world of Supercars in the lead up to the Finals Series, and the reality of it is looming ever larger on the horizon.

Among the 10 Finals Drivers, six teams are represented, namely Red Bull Ampol Racing, Penrite Racing, Tickford Racing, Walkinshaw Andretti United, Shell V-Power Racing Team, and Team 18.

Of those teams, only the latter two find themselves in a position where only one of their drivers is still in championship contention, with Will Davison and David Reynolds both missing the cut.

That has piqued interest into how those two teams in particular could use their two veterans to assist the hopes of their Finals Drivers in Brodie Kostecki and Anton De Pasquale.

The question is particularly pertinent to Reynolds, who ended the day fourth fastest in Practice 2 as the top Chevrolet.

David Cauchi, Penrite Racing Team Principal, is fully prepared for teams and drivers alike to use all of their craft and gamesmanship to assist their chances across the three Finals events at the Gold Coast, Sandown, and Adelaide.

"No one would ever play tactics in this sport, no, never," quipped Cauchi at Friday's team representatives' press conference.

"For sure, yeah. It's going to be a really exciting event this weekend, and for the next three, because this is something that we've never done before as a sport.

"We've got literally 10 cars that can mathematically win the championship right now, and it's probably never happened before with three rounds to go in the history of the sport.

"So absolutely teams are going to play games, and drivers are going to play games, but I think bring it on and may the best man and team win."

Team orders are permitted in the Repco Supercars Championship, however having orders be implemented from external sources such as manufacturers is strictly prohibited.

There have been calls for harsh penalties should the line of what's deemed to be acceptable be crossed, something that was further stressed today at Surfers Paradise.

"As long as Supercars have got the balls to make decisions that if people manipulate the sport, that they do what NASCAR have done, and warn that there's going to be big fines," added Erebus CEO Barry Ryan.

"You just shouldn't be able to manipulate the sport, it's simple."

Cauchi further added: "We don't want to see reckless driving, and cars being taken out and all that sort of jazz, that's not good for the sport. We want to see what Supercars is about, it's hard, close, fair racing.

"We know the guys out there have the talent and the ability to drive at the highest standard, and that's what we want to see."

Ryan also firmly believes that drivers outside of the Finals, such as his duo Jack Le Brocq and Cooper Murray, will have a huge role in determining the outcome of this year's championship, adding: "I think Australians aren't as gentleman-like as NASCAR, and in NASCAR all the drivers pull over and let the final four race. That's not going to happen here.

As for those who have two cars in The Finals, Cam Waters, who ended the day with the fastest ever Supercars lap around Surfers Paradise, doesn't believe there is enough to gain by using tactics to benefit one driver over another,

That is despite Waters' Tickford teammate Thomas Randle starting the weekend as the first driver outside the cut-off line, just nine points behind De Pasquale.

Waters said: "Not really, I think it's all about learning and having a fast car for the weekend.

"Hopefully we can go 1-2 in both races and it'll look after itself won't it?"

Track action commences Saturday with Boost Mobile Qualifying at 11:00am AEST/12:00pm AEDT, followed by the Boost Mobile Top Ten Shootout at 12:35pm AEST/1:35pm AEDT. The first 250km race of the weekend, which will be held on the Super Soft tyre, will start at 3:15pm AEST/4:15pm AEDT.