Event 6 of the Repco Supercars Championship, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. 17 June 2022
Nulon Racing’s Scott Pye and IRWIN Racing’s Mark Winterbottom are primed to hit the track at Hidden Valley Raceway this weekend for the Merlin Darwin Triple Crown.
This year’s Darwin Supercars event marks the first official indigenous round for the Supercars Championship, with both Team 18 entries sporting a striking indigenous-themed livery in celebration of the event.
Winterbottom’s IRWIN Racing Commodore features an incredible artwork designed by Kalkadoon artist Chern’ee Sutton, while Pye’s Nulon Racing Commodore features an artwork designed by Torres Strait Island/Mackay-based artist Debbie Thaiday of DT Trait Designz in collaboration with the GH United Rugby League team.
Hidden Valley Raceway has been a happy hunting ground in the past as the site of the team’s three podium finishes to date secured by Scott Pye in 2020.
Both Winterbottom and Pye are looking forward to getting back on track in Darwin and building on their forward trajectory over the past two events at Perth and Winton.
The Merlin Darwin Triple Crown features the return of a three-day format, with cars first hitting the track for Practice 1 on Friday at 10:50am local time.
All three races will be staged over 38 laps on the Dunlop Super Soft tyre, with Race 16 of the championship held on Saturday and Races 17 and 18 on Sunday.
Race 16 qualifying features two 10-minute knockout sessions followed by a Top 10 Shootout, while two back-to-back all-in 10 minute sessions will set the grid for Races 17 and 18 respectively.
All the weekend’s racing action can be viewed line on Channel 7, Fox Sports and Kayo Sports.
QUOTES
Mark Winterbottom, driver #18 IRWIN Racing Holden ZB Commodore
“I’m excited to get back up to Darwin. Hidden Valley has been good for us in the past and we go there with some momentum. We had a good round previously so we’re trying to claw our way back.
“There’s been a few changes internally with the team and Darwin is a good place to try and execute and get a good result.”
Scott Pye, driver #20 Nulon Racing Holden ZB Commodore
“Hidden Valley Raceway is one of my favourite places to come to in the season.
“The weather is looking extremely consistent which is a nice change coming from Melbourne which is rather cold.
“Really excited to get back here, we’ve had a good run with Team 18 in the past snagging with a few trophies. Last year we had good car speed but it never came to fruition so hopefully this weekend we can qualify at the pointy-end of the field and snag some good results to come home with.
“We have three races this weekend, and some interesting trophies with the Didgeridoos so it would be cool to get our hands on one of those.”
SCHEDULE
Merlin Darwin Triple Crown, 17-19 June 2022
Local time: ACST
FRIDAY
Practice 1 – 10:50am (30 minutes)
Practice 2 – 2:05pm (30 minutes)
TV Times, Fox: 10:30am – 4:30pm
SATURDAY
Qualifying (Race 16) Part 1 – 11:45am (10 minutes)
Qualifying (Race 16) Part 2 – 12:00pm (10 minutes)
Qualifying (Race 16) Top 10 Shootout – 12:20pm (10 minutes)
Race 16 – 3:25pm (38 laps)
TV Times, Fox: 8:10am – 10:30pm
TV Times, Channel 7: 11:30am – 4:30pm
SUNDAY
Qualifying (Race 17) – 8:35am (10 minutes)
Qualifying (Race 18) – 8:50am (10 minutes)
Race 17 – 11:55am (38 laps)
Race 18 – 3:25pm (38 laps)
TV Times, Fox: 7:30am – 5:30pm
TV Times, Channel 7: 11:30am – 4:30pm