Team 18 drivers Scott Pye and Mark Winterbottom are getting set to end the 2022 Repco Supercars Championship on a high at the VALO Adelaide 500 this weekend.

This weekend will mark the return of the VALO Adelaide 500 for the first time since 2019 which marks the home round for South-Australian born Pye.

The Adelaide 500 will also be a landmark event as the final appearance of Holden in the Australian Touring Car Championship/Supercars Championship.

The #20 Toyota Forklifts Team 18 Holden ZB Commodore driver, who scored a sensational pole position in 2016, is proud to have the event back on the calendar and is looking forward to finishing a strong second-half of the season at the Adelaide parklands circuit.

The Adelaide Parklands Circuit is the third concrete-lined street circuit on the calendar this year after Townsville and Gold Coast, however IRWIN Racing’s Winterbottom predicts it won’t be as simple as carrying over from previous years, as the Adelaide circuit has been largely resurfaced in the lead-up to the event this year.

The VALO Adelaide 500 features a four-day format, with two 250km sprint races on the Dunlop Hard Tyre compound.

Cars first hit the track on Thursday for Practice 1 at 3:55pm, before they return on Friday for Practice 2 at 1:15pm and Race 33 Qualifying at 5:35pm. Qualifying will set the order for Saturday’s Top Ten Shootout which will be held after Practice 3 on Saturday morning, with both races on the weekend including a shootout to set the grid.

Each 78-lap will feature two compulsory pit stops with a 140L fuel drop.

Sunday’s Qualifying commences at 10:50am, followed by the Top 10 Shootout at 12:05pm and Race 34 at 2:15pm.

All the action can be viewed live on Fox Sports and Kayo, with free-to-air coverage live on the Seven Network across the weekend.

QUOTES

Scott Pye, #20 Toyota Forklifts Team 18 Holden ZB Commodore 

“I’m excited to get back to Adelaide. It’s been two years since we were there last, so I’m looking forward to getting back there. It feels like the first time again as it’s been so long and when something is taken away you appreciate what you had.

“We have a quick car on the street circuits so we want to chase a podium and we would love to be on the top step for the last time in a Holden across the weekend in my home state.

“I grew up in Elizabeth, just around the corner from the Holden manufacturing plant and I went to one of their anniversaries as a kid with my Dad which was very special. He was a Ford fan but even he knew how important Holden meant to Australia and supporters of theirs, so he took me to that as something I would never forget.

“It’s one of those things that work in mysterious ways, it’s crazy to think I’m lining up in Adelaide in a Holden for what will be the last time, it’s a real pinch yourself moment.”

Mark Winterbottom, #18 IRWIN Racing Team 18 Holden ZB Commodore

“It’s good to go back to Adelaide, one of the best events on the calendar and it’s going to be a bit different to finish there this year instead of starting it, but it’s so good to be back and it’s going to be a good way to finish up and send out the car in style.

“I feel like Adelaide is going to be different with its resurface and kerb profiles, but we’ll find out Thursday evening if we’re competitive or have work to do, but the four day weekend is going to have time to develop the car if its not or finesse it if it comes out of the truck well.”

SCHEDULE
VALO Adelaide 500
Adelaide Parklands Circuit
1-4 December 2022
Local time: ACST

THURSDAY
3:55pm – Practice 1 (30 mins)

TV Times
FOX: 1:15pm – 4:45pm

FRIDAY
1:15pm – Practice 2 (30 mins)
5:35pm – Qualifying, Race 33 (15 mins)

TV Times
FOX: 8:45am – 6:15pm

SATURDAY
11:00am – Practice 3 (30 mins)
12:35pm – Top 10 Shootout
3:15pm – Race 33 (78 laps)

TV Times
FOX: 9:00am – 6:00pm
7Mate: 12:30pm – 5:30pm

SUNDAY
10:50am – Qualifying, Race 34 (15 mins)
12:05pm – Top 10 Shootout
2:45pm – Race 34 (78 laps)

TV Times
FOX: 8:30am – 6:00pm
7: 12:00pm – 5:00pm