Supercars drivers intrigued by major Bend 500 change
AirTouch 500 on The Bend to be held on Tailem Bend's West Circuit
Short layout was used during COVID-impacted 2020 season
Supercars drivers are tipping a “more intense” AirTouch 500 on The Bend in 2026, which will be held on the short West Circuit.
The 2026 Ryco Enduro Cup opener will be held on the South Aussie venue’s 3.41km West Circuit, versus the longer 4.95km International Circuit used last year.
The race lap count increases from 102 to 147, and opens up strategy for teams as they aim to make a statement before Bathurst.
The West Circuit was used during the COVID-impacted 2020 season, with the tight Turn 6 right hander set to be a key action point throughout the race.
Speaking on the upcoming Drivers Only episode, Shell V-Power Racing Team driver Rylan Gray suggested there could be chaos on lap 1 as co-drivers barrel into Turn 6 for the first time.
"I'm pretty excited. I guess it's not for us to worry about,” Gray said of lap 1.
"Depending on strategy, we'll just let the co-drivers send it down there at the start of the race and say, 'Good luck’.”
2025 winner Todd Hazelwood, who raced to victory last year with Brodie Kostecki, tipped the racing to be "a lot more intense.”
“It’s going to be a cool challenge. I think the racing is going to be a lot more intense,” said Hazelwood, who spun out at Turn 6 in 2020.
“When we raced there back in COVID, the racing and the amount of passing was really good and there was a tight field spread. The International Circuit is great, it’s very fast, very flowing, but you get huge spread over a short amount of laps.
“I think it’s going to put real importance on strategy, making sure you’ve got the car in the window to still execute a long race.
“I feel like the West Circuit probably suits my driving style, very aggressive under braking, tight, twisty corners in the middle sector.”
Red Bull Ampol Racing co-driver Scott Pye was adamant the West Circuit will enhance the spectacle.
"I don't think we've lost anything by not being on the longer track, which is the most important thing,” Pye told Supercars.com.
"I don't think we've lost any overtaking opportunities by not being on the longer circuit. In that, I would say there's no negatives. Going onto the shorter track, it should keep the field condensed.
"I think the high speed corners on the longer circuit didn't really favour these cars, with high tyre temperatures and dirty air as well.
“I think we've actually have gained an overtaking spot, and we'll see some closer racing.”
Kostecki, meanwhile, maintains track limits at the Turn 6 right hander could prove a key talking point, given the corner encourages drivers to make the most of the space available at corner entry and exit.
"It's obviously so wide there. I don't know if they're gonna be placing the track limits on the exit,” Kostecki said.
"I hope they don't, because it’s gonna be really hard to actually do it. I think it'll make qualifying pretty average. I hope they just let it run as it is.
“Common sense prevailed eventually as it went on [in 2020]. There's dirt on the outside, so you can only go out so far, but it's one of those things, if you go out further, you don't really gain time.”
Track action at The Bend commences on Friday September 11. Tickets are on sale now.
