The 2018 Virgin Australia V8 Supercars Championship speeds back into action this weekend, with the CrownBet Darwin Triple Crown bringing the best drivers back onto the track, in Northern Queensland.
V8 Supercars speed back into action with CrownBet Darwin Triple Crown
With the short break dispensed with, teams and drivers can get their ‘groove on’. And with that, practice has begun at the Hidden Valley circuit. The 2.9 kilometer circuit has a top speed of 270 kmph plus and expect the cars to be hitting that limit before the flag drops on Saturday for Race 15.
All the teams must have been dead keen to resume competition, after a short break. Halfway through the calendar year, the apprehension is of ‘how the chasing drivers react?’
Series leading driver Scott McLaughlin must feel that he has proved that 2017 was not just a highlight. That he would show consistency….but winning over a handful of races; including four out of the last half dozen races, will re-ensure that DJR Team Penske are both the leader, as well as the hunted.
Being the leading-light has also thrown the spotlight on McLaughlin. The Kiwi driver has shown a maturity that belies his 25 years. Performing on the local scene, McLaughlin must not lose focus. The young star can reinforce his earlier season accomplishments in the Ford Falcon, to solidify any points lead over chasing drivers [after this weekend].
P1 after practice today – all is good! 🤙🏻💪🏻☀️ #VASC pic.twitter.com/knN2hPHr6H
— Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin93) June 15, 2018
It has also benefited the Falcon brand. Not a consistent performer, even while winning the 2017 manufacturers title. But the DJR and, the Tickford Racing brands have shown the ‘General’ of Triple 888 Racing or Walkinshaw-Andretti-United racing groups, that the blue oval will still provide competition.
For now, the aged FG racing architecture might well soon be replaced, with avenues for brands like the Ford Mustang or even Chevrolet Camaro primed to consider joining the V8 Supercars Series. An unknown quantity, which for the Virgin Australia V8 Supercars Championshop, can only be beneficial – as long as the variety of marque/manufacturers demonstrate the best of (and the more competitive) of results.
So here at the CrownBet Darwin Triple Crown meet, if the Ford Falcon carries on with the recent form, it all adds to the drama and continuing story of the 2018 series.
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