Team 18 is set to launch its Ryco Enduro Cup campaign this weekend at The Bend Motorsport Park, with the Airtouch 500 marking the start of the endurance season.

The team brings a mix of proven winners and rising stars. TRADIE Energy Racing’s David Reynolds will be joined by 2021 Bathurst 1000 winner Lee Holdsworth, while DEWALT Racing’s Anton De Pasquale pairs up with two-time Porsche Carrera Cup Champion Harri Jones, who makes his long-anticipated Supercars debut.

Holdsworth returns to Team 18, where he raced full-time between 2015 and 2018, reuniting not only with Reynolds, his teammate from 2022, but also former race engineer Richard Hollway. Reynolds says he’s relishing the challenge of endurance racing and is excited to share the experience with Holdsworth, a close friend and fellow Bathurst winner.

De Pasquale enters the Enduro Cup seventh in the championship standings and is aiming to solidify his position in the top ten as the season builds toward the finals cutoff after Bathurst.

This round also represents a personal milestone, with De Pasquale celebrating his 100th Supercars round, having already collected nine race wins, 35 podiums and 16 pole positions in his career, and is also turning 30 this Sunday.

Jones, who successfully defended his Porsche Carrera Cup Australia title in 2024, first tested with Team 18 at The Bend last December and completed a second evaluation at Winton in August. He will juggle dual campaigns in Carrera Cup and Supercars at both The Bend and Bathurst.

The Airtouch 500 promises an action-packed weekend. Friday features three practice sessions, including one exclusively for co-drivers, followed by two further practice runs, qualifying and the Top Ten Shootout on Saturday. The curtain will then rise on Sunday’s 500-kilometre endurance race, with Race 26 beginning at 1:45pm ACST over 102 laps. All the action can be viewed live on Fox Sports and Kayo.

QUOTES

Anton De Pasquale – Driver, #18 DEWALT Racing Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

“Enduros are always a really cool part of the season, and I’m pumped to head back to The Bend, it’s been a while. It’s cool to have Harri in the car, he’s been doing a great job and keeps improving every time he’s in it.

“We’ve had a good build-up, and I think we’ll have a strong shot if we can give him a fast car.

“It’s a big weekend for me too, turning 30, 100 Supercars rounds under my belt, hopefully it all adds up to a good result.”

Harri Jones – Co-Driver, #18 DEWALT Racing Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

“I’ve been working toward my Supercars debut my entire career, so this weekend is very exciting to join Team 18 and Anton.

“I just can’t wait to actually cut some laps in a Supercar on a race weekend so it’s been a long time coming

“Ever since I signed on with Team 18 last December, this has been our number one target so needless to say I’m very excited.

“Our evaluation day at Winton and the recent test at QR both were very promising so I’m keen to pick up where we left off and have some fun along the way.

“Anton’s been unreal this year, I can’t think of anyone better to join forces with and I’m just excited to see how we go.”

David Reynolds – Driver, #20 TRADIE Energy Racing Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

“This is the best time of year, I love enduros. The races are longer and more complex, and now I get to share it with one of my best mates in Lee.

“We’ve both won Bathurst, he knows what it takes, and it’s awesome to be back together. Our driver changes have been some of the quickest I’ve done in years, so we’re dialled in.

“Lee’s pace was strong at the test. He drove the car at the start of the year at Sydney and it wasn’t as good, he so was a little bit concerned, but then he drove the car again for the first time months later and he was pretty much on the pace and loved it. It’s all come together really well. We’re really looking forward to this one.”

Lee Holdsworth – Co-Driver, #20 TRADIE Energy Racing Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

“It’s always an exciting part of the season and I’m really looking forward to teaming up with Dave and the team again in the TRADIE Energy Camaro.

“We had a productive test at Queensland Raceway, and I feel really comfortable in the car.

“Our driver changes are solid, and if we get the baseline car right and roll out with decent pace, I think we’ve got the potential to deliver a great result. We’re confident in what we’ve got, and I can’t wait to hit the track.”

SCHEDULE

2025 Airtouch 500 (All Times ACST)

Friday 12 September
10:15am – Practice 1 (30 mins, All Drivers)
12:45pm – Practice 2 (30 mins, Additional Drivers)
3:55pm – Practice 3 (30 mins, All Drivers)

Saturday 13 September
9:45am – Practice 4 (40 mins, Additional Drivers)
11:55am – Practice 5 (40 mins, All Drivers)
3:00pm – Qualifying (20 mins)
4:50pm – Top Ten Shootout (40 mins)

Sunday 14 September
9:30am – Warm-up (20 mins)
1:45pm – Race 26 – 102 laps or 1 lap after 5:18pm (500 km)