The past omens that support Mostert, SVG title bids

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For only the second time in the last six years did the first round of a new season feature two different winners.

Shane van Gisbergen and Chaz Mostert shared the spoils at the Beaurepaires Sydney SuperNight earlier this month.

Van Gisbergen’s Race 2 nightmare ensured winner Mostert left Sydney with the championship lead.

However, Mostert was adamant defending champion van Gisbergen is still the one to beat.

Given Sydney hosted four rounds in 2021, the latest trip to Sydney Motorsport Park doesn’t present a major form guide for the season.

It's important to note that while Mostert and van Gisbergen won the two races, they sandwich second-placed Anton De Pasquale in the standings.

Regardless, momentum is everything after a season-opening round, and Mostert and van Gisbergen have early runs on the board.

Next weekend’s NED Whisky Tasmania SuperSprint will be held at Symmons Plains, which of late, has been dominated by Triple Eight.

To next weekend’s event, Mostert and van Gisbergen firm as the ones to beat; they are the first winners of 2022, and they both won in Tasmania last April.

As far as winning championships is concerned, winning a race in the first round of a new season is the best way to start.

However, history suggests neither driver will have it all their own way in 2022.

Top three in Race 1, top three in the standings

The 2022 Repco Supercars Championship is the 54th season, dating back to 1969, to be contested over multiple rounds.

Around the turn of the century, winning in Round 1 proved a driver is in the box seat to convert to title glory.

In the 17 seasons between 1988 and 2004, 14 times did a driver who won a race in the first round go on to win the title.

That has since become harder to achieve; in the 17 seasons between 2005 and 2021, that number almost halved to eight.

Still, Mostert and van Gisbergen have reason to be confident in 2022.

On 26 occasions has a driver gone on to win the title after winning the first race of a new season.

On 33 occasions has a driver won the title after winning a race in the opening round.

It was a weekend of silverware for DJR in Tassie last year

On paper, the pendulum swings in van Gisbergen’s favour as the championship moves to the Apple Isle.

Symmons Plains has hosted 48 ATCC/Supercars rounds; on 25 instances, a driver who won a race in Tasmania went on to win the title.

That includes nine of the last 14 Tasmania rounds, which have largely featured Triple Eight dominance.

Through all the Mostert and van Gisbergen early-season headlines, will another driver spoil the Holden duo's party?

Eyes will be on De Pasquale, who secured two podiums in his first visit to Tasmania in Shell colours last year.

Find out at next weekend's NED Whisky Tasmania SuperSprint. CLICK HERE to purchase your tickets.

Every session of the event will be broadcast live on Foxtel (Fox Sports 506) and streamed on Kayo.

The Seven Network will broadcast highlights on Saturday and Sunday.