Straight line speed of Toyota Supra under microscope before Sandown
Chaz Mostert emerged as key Finals contender on Gold Coast
Mostert above cut-line, only Toyota still in Finals hunt
Walkinshaw TWG Racing CEO Bruce Stewart has quashed any suggestions that straight line speed could be Chaz Mostert's downfall at Sandown, declaring "momentum is everything in this sport.”
Mostert, who entered the Gold Coast below the cut-line, was the big win-and-you're-in story of the Elimination Final, lifting himself from eighth to fourth in points.
It could've been third for Mostert, who he sacrificed his race on Sunday to assist teammate Ryan Wood's efforts as he scrapped for the final spot, though ultimately in vain.
The long straights of Sandown pose a different challenge altogether, and one that some are projecting the developing Toyota engine package could struggle with. Though big strides were made with the introduction of the 'B-spec' engine at Ipswich, Toyota still struggled on the timing sheets at Bathurst.
However, Stewart is convinced that was more of an off weekend than a worrying trend, telling media on the Gold Coast: “We go to every race meeting expecting the be playing at the front, and working hard to do that.
“We don’t have anything but eyes forward. Mozzie won there last year. I know it was in a different OEM.
“But equally so, momentum is huge and, you know, there are a couple of long straights there, but I think our cars will be strong there. So, expect them to be.”
It's worth noting that Mostert was the first and so far only driver to win at Sandown in a Ford in the Gen3 era, the two 500km enduros and second 2025 race having been won by Triple Eight Camaros.
Camaros were still strong at Sandown, however, Anton De Pasquale having his strongest weekend of the 2025 season with Team 18, having been knocked out of Finals on the Gold Coast.
Chevrolet are expected to be strong once again, Triple Eight Team Manager Mark Dutton even going so far to say that he would've "preferred" Wood having made it to Sandown instead of De Pasquale.
Some, however, don't think it will be an issue. That lost includes Craig Lowndes, who spent plenty of time racing Supras at the Repco Bathurst 1000 in his wildcard Team 18 Camaro.
"There’s a question over straight-line speed, but from what I experienced at Bathurst, I don't think the Toyota was that bad at all," said Lowndes in his exclusive column.
"Having reached Sandown with the Mostert car, they’ll be looking at that, because that track is essentially two drag strips.
"Critically, you win and you go through to the next round. Chaz did that on the Gold Coast, and he did it twice last year. There’s massive pressure on teams to get a victory, and Walkinshaw TWG Racing has runs on the board in that department."
