After a rapid turnaround following the return from New Zealand late last week, Team 18 is locked and loaded for Round 4 of the 2025 Repco Supercars Championship at the short, sharp bullring of Symmons Plains for this weekend’s Tasmania Super440.

This year marks the 52nd Supercars round at the iconic Tasmanian venue, with the 96th, 97th and 98th Supercars races at the venue set to take place this weekend. Nicknamed the “Pork Chop” for its distinctive shape, Symmons Plains features long straights, heavy braking zones and the slowest corner on the calendar: the infamous Turn 4 hairpin.

Tyre strategy will again take centre stage, with a reversal of the mixed compound format from Taupo. Saturday’s two 50-lap sprint races will feature a split format, with the opening race and Sunday’s 78-lap finale running on the Dunlop Super Soft tyre, while Race 2 will use the regular Soft compound.

For DEWALT Racing’s Anton De Pasquale, the first three rounds have delivered promising pace and consistency, including a front-row start last time out. He’s eager to continue that momentum, eyeing improvements in qualifying and executing complete weekends as the team builds on a strong foundation.

TRADIE Energy Racing’s David Reynolds is looking to turn his season around after a challenging start. With fresh components added to his Camaro ahead of this weekend and a strong history at Symmons Plains, including top-three qualifying pace last year, Reynolds is confident the team is taking a step in the right direction.

Once the Team 18 Transporter crosses the Bass Strait on Wednesday, the event officially kicks off with an all-in signing session in Launceston at the National Automobile Museum of Tasmania on Thursday from 4:30pm to 5:30pm.

Following Practice on Friday, Saturday opens with dual knockout qualifying sessions from 9:05am, followed by Race 11 at 12:05pm and Race 12 at 3:55pm. Sunday’s schedule features qualifying at 9:35am, a Top 10 Shootout at 11:55am and the feature 200km Race 13 at 2:45pm.

Fans can catch all the action live on Fox Sports and Kayo. Check local guides for details.

QUOTES

Anton De Pasquale, driver #18 DEWALT Racing Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

“The first three rounds of the year have gone well. It’s been great to join the team and get through them pre tty unscathed. We’ve banked some good points, learned a lot, and started progressing in areas we want to improve, which is really exciting.”

“We’ve made progress every round. There’ve been a few little mishaps along the way, which is normal, but I’m really looking forward to continuing that momentum heading into Tasmania.”

“Tassie’s always exciting! The hairpin makes for great racing and presents a huge passing opportunity, whether it’s on the way in or out. With the way the races have opened up a bit more this year, I think we’ll see a few more opportunities to make moves.”

“The mixed tyre formats and how tight the field’s been this season throws in some curveballs, so I reckon we’ll see some big dive bombs at the hairpin. Managing tyres will be key, but there are definitely chances to make things happen.”

“We’ve had good race pace across a lot of races. In some cases, we’ve had pace that could’ve got us on the podium. Qualifying wasn’t great early on, but we’ve improved, we started front row in the last race, so that’s a big step forward.”

“Now it’s about putting the whole weekend together, qualifying up the front and racing strong. It’s so competitive right now, you can’t afford to have a weak session. If we can keep qualifying well and keep our races clean, we’ll be right in the mix.”

David Reynolds, driver #20 TRADIE Energy Racing Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

“On my side of the garage, the #20 side, it’s been a pretty average year so far. We’ve got a few new parts in the car this weekend to try and figure out what’s going on with my speed. It’s a really positive step, and hopefully we can start getting on top of it. I was really fast at Tassie last year, so we’ve got a good base to build from.”

“Anton’s #18 car has been quick all year, so it’s going to be interesting to see how we compare. I can’t wait to get stuck into it.”

“The margins at Tassie are always super tight because it’s such a short track. Technically there are only three or four proper corners, so a hundredth of a second makes a huge difference. That’s why you’ll see something like 24 cars within six-tenths of a second in qualifying, it’s ridiculous.”

“Saturday’s pretty hectic! The engineers, mechanics, everyone behind the scenes are absolutely flat out, and we’re busy trying to figure out how to drive on the two different tyres. Sunday’s a bit slower-paced with just one quali and a longer race.”

“It’s kind of gone back to the old-school format, an action-packed Saturday and a more strategic Sunday. I enjoy both days, but I definitely wouldn’t want to be a mechanic on a Saturday, they’re working their guts out!”

SCHEDULE

2025 Tasmania Super440 (All Times AEST)

Friday 9 May

11:55am, Practice 1 (30 mins)
3:00pm, Practice 2 (30 mins)

Saturday 10 May

9:05am, Qualifying Part 1 – Race 11 (10 mins)
9:25am, Qualifying Part 2 – Race 11 (10 mins)
9:55am, Qualifying Part 1 – Race 12 (10 mins)
10:15am, Qualifying Part 2 – Race 12 (10 mins)
12:05pm, Race 11 – 50 laps (120 km)
3:55pm, Race 12 – 50 laps (120 km)

Sunday 11 May

9:35am, Qualifying Part 1 – Race 13 (10 mins)
9:55am, Qualifying Part 2 – Race 13 (10 mins)
11:55am, Qualifying Part 3 – Race 13 Top Ten Shootout
2:45pm, Race 13 – 78 laps (200 km)