Team 18 set to build on podium form at Townsville

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After breaking through for their first podium of 2025 in Darwin, Team 18 is fired up to keep the momentum rolling at this weekend’s NTI Townsville 500, the seventh round of the Repco Supercars Championship.

Held on the challenging Reid Park Street Circuit, the North Queensland venue is famed for its unforgiving concrete walls, aggressive kerbs and high tyre degradation, offering no margin for error.

This weekend marks the penultimate round of the inaugural Repco Sprint Cup and returns to the three-race format seen at the season-opening Sydney SuperNight. Teams will tackle a 100km twilight sprint on Friday, followed by a pair of 200km refuelling races on Saturday and Sunday, all on the Dunlop Soft Tyre.

DEWALT Racing’s Anton De Pasquale arrives in Townsville full of confidence after scoring his first podium for Team 18 in Darwin. He’s eager to keep that momentum rolling on the streets of Townsville, highlighting the challenges of adapting to a street circuit for the first time this season and the importance of executing strongly across all three races, including the new Friday twilight sprint.

TRADIE Energy Racing’s David Reynolds is also looking to capitalise on recent speed. A proven performer in Townsville, Reynolds is relishing the mix of race formats, the added challenge of tyre wear, and the off-track buzz that defines this event.

For the first time in Townsville, the event will feature a Friday race, with a 35-lap, 100km sprint rounding out a packed day that includes two practice sessions at 9:20am and 11:10am, followed by knockout qualifying at 1:20pm. Saturday kicks off with qualifying at 10:00am, a Top 10 Shootout at 12:05pm, and a 70-lap, 200km race at 3:00pm. Sunday’s schedule follows the same format, with qualifying from 10:05am, another Top 10 Shootout at 12:05pm, and the final 200km race, Race 22, at 3:00pm.

Fans can catch all the action live on Channel 7, Fox Sports and Kayo. Check local guides for details.

QUOTES

David Reynolds, #20 TRADIE Energy Racing Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

“Townsville’s always an exciting place to race, it’s one of the coolest street tracks we go to all year.”

“There’s a lot going on off-track too, bull riding, burnouts. it’s a packed schedule and a great atmosphere.”

“The surface is quite rough and the tyre degradation is high, which always makes for good racing so regardless of where you qualify, you always feel like you’re in with a shot at a win.”

“This year’s format is a bit different with a race on Friday, then one each on Saturday and Sunday. We’ve never had a Friday race here before, so it’ll definitely mix things up.”

“You can have a good qualifying car but struggle in the race, or vice versa, so it’s always a balancing act to get both right.”

“The circuit has big kerbs and plenty of passing opportunities. With temps in the high twenties, it’s going to be a a hard weekend of racing.”

Anton De Pasquale, #18 DEWALT Racing Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

“I’m excited to head up to sunny Townsville for our first street circuit of the year, it’s always a really cool event with an awesome atmosphere.”

“This year we’ve got a Friday race for the first time in Townsville, which will be something new and exciting. Racing into the twilight will be interesting to adapt to.”

“Townsville is known for high tyre degradation, so managing that across the weekend is going to be key.”

“It’s also the first time we’ll really be attacking the kerbs this season, so that changes the demands on the car and setup compared to the tracks we’ve come from.”

“It’s important we roll out strong on Friday with a race straight after practice and qualifying. A good start will set the tone for the weekend.”

SCHEDULE

2025 NTI Townsville 500 (All Times AEST)

Friday 11 July

9:20am, Practice 1 (30 mins)
11:10am, Practice 2 (30 mins)
1:20pm, Qualifying Part 1 – Race 20 (10 mins)
1:40pm, Qualifying Part 2 – Race 20 (10 mins)
3:40pm, Race 20 – 35 laps (100 km)

Saturday 12 July

10:00am, Qualifying Part 1 – Race 21 (10 mins)
10:20am, Qualifying Part 2 – Race 21 (10 mins)
12:05pm, Race 21 Top Ten Shootout
3:00pm, Race 21 – 70 laps (200 km)

Sunday 13 July

10:05am, Qualifying Part 1 – Race 22 (10 mins)
10:25am, Qualifying Part 2 – Race 22 (10 mins)
12:05pm, Race 22 Top Ten Shootout
3:00pm, Race 22 – 70 laps (200 km)