Supercars field gets early look at Bend short circuit

An unprecedented brake bedding session has given the Supercars field an early look at The Bend Motorsport Park’s West Circuit.

For the first time since 2020, the Repco Supercars Championship will use the South Australian venue’s short circuit.

While official practice won’t get underway until 11:25am local time, the field was given a 20-minute session early on Friday morning to bed in new brakes.

The 2026 Ryco Enduro Cup opener began with a brake bedding session to test a new batch of brakes, which was air freighted to The Bend.

The Bend’s West Circuit is harder on brakes than the longer International layout, with the shorter layout notably featuring a big stop into the Turn 6 hairpin.

All teams were provided with detailed brake bedding instructions ahead of the session, which wasn’t timed. Teams were not permitted to make set-up changes during the session.

Regardless, it was a rare early look at a circuit before official proceedings, with drivers getting a look at the circuit.

Turn 6 itself will also be under the microscope, with track limits to be a talking point throughout the weekend.

In consultation with Motorsport Australia and the venue, sensors have been installed at the exit of the corner to police track limits.

Track limits will not be enforced on corner entry, which widens on driver's left.