Time to go Endurance Racing starting with the Sandown 500
The endurance season is here, and the battle for the 2024 Repco Supercars Championship is set to escalate. With the sprint season behind us, the championship fight is heating up as Will Brown, Chaz Mostert, Broc Feeney, and Cam Waters all vie for their first Supercars title. As co-drivers enter the mix at the upcoming Penrite Oil Sandown 500 and the iconic Repco Bathurst 1000, the dynamics of the championship are bound to shift dramatically.
Sandown marks the first time this season that co-drivers will be involved, adding an extra layer of complexity to an already fiercely contested championship. While Bathurst is the crown jewel, Sandown is not far behind, and a win at either event stands as one of the greatest achievements in Australian motorsport. For some co-drivers, like Scott Pye, Lee Holdsworth, Jamie Whincup, and James Moffat, the pressure to support a championship bid adds extra weight to their role. Others will be solely focused on a Sandown victory, as a successful enduro campaign can turn around a challenging season.
The co-driver field at Sandown features a mix of seasoned veterans and rising talents, including nine previous Sandown 500 victories among them. Legends like Garth Tander and Jamie Whincup need no introduction, while Warren Luff, Lee Holdsworth, and David Russell have built reputations as enduro specialists. Six co-drivers will make their Sandown debut this year, including emerging names like Kai Allen and Brad Vaughan, the latter teaming up with Matt Chahda in a wildcard entry.
With 300 points available at both Sandown and Bathurst, the championship battle is wide open. Currently, Will Brown leads Chaz Mostert by just 81 points, the closest margin before the endurance races since 2018. A single poor finish could swing the title race dramatically, especially with Broc Feeney and Cam Waters still within striking distance. Red Bull Ampol Racing, WAU, and Tickford Racing face immense pressure to avoid mistakes in these high-stakes races.
The championship picture is further complicated by off-track moves, with Anton De Pasquale and Brodie Kostecki securing new seats for 2025. Kostecki’s replacement, Cooper Murray, will race alongside six-time Sandown winner Craig Lowndes, offering a learning opportunity from one of the best in the business.
Sandown presents a crucial opportunity for Chaz Mostert and his Walkinshaw Andretti United team to capitalize on recent momentum. After struggling in 2023, Mostert and Lee Holdsworth need a strong result to maintain their title hopes. As the endurance season kicks off, the fight for the Supercars crown is far from over, and every lap will count.