Supercars are back this week as we head north to Darwin, and we bring along with us the Autosport program as they kick off their back half of the year.

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With the cars and trucks already on their way up to Darwin, the crew are locking away the final pieces of preparation before we make the journey ourselves.

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We have an exciting livery for both main game cars that we cannot wait to reveal to the fans. Working with our incredible artist Joshua James again this year, he has built the perfect story for both drivers on track that will be the core for our motivation this weekend.

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On track, we face a fantastic opportunity to turn around the results back in favour of the team and it is a challenge that our boys are up to facing head on. Hidden Valley is quite a technical track even without the challenge of the heat, with a one kilometre straight and a tight hairpin turn to kick the lap off, there is always carnage that you need to avoid.

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HIDDEN VALLEY RACEWAY TOP LINE: Location: Hidden Valley, Darwin NT | Track Length: 2.86km | Corners: 14

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The week kicks off on Wednesday with the fan favourite transporter parade through town as the momentum builds up toward the weekend.

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Thursday is a great opportunity to catch the guys for a photo and a signature away from the track. You can catch the boys at Autobarn Palmerston for a signing session at 11:00am and then that evening when the cars hit the city for Track to Town.

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We then roll into three massive days of track action with main game racing all three days. For the Autosport program, they will run their standard weekend schedule kicking off with two practice sessions on the Friday.

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The Triple Crown is a well-liked format for fans and drivers, and the intensity of the Darwin heat will ensure some exciting racing over the three days.

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The below tyre allocations and compulsory pit stops (CPS) will be in place over the Darwin weekend:

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RACE 17 100KM | Soft Tyre | 1 x CPS | 2 x Tyres Minimum      

RACE 18 200KM | Super Soft Tyre | 2 x CPS | 2 x Tyres Minimum      

RACE 19 200KM | Soft Tyre | 2 x CPS | 2 x Tyres Minimum      

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2025 DARWIN RESULTS:

CAM WATERS

- RACE 1 | Qualified 2nd | Finished 2nd

- RACE 2 | Qualified 3rd | Finished 10th

- RACE 3 | Qualified 16th | Finished 24th

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THOMAS RANDLE

- RACE 1 | Qualified 9th| Finished 13th

- RACE 2 | Qualified 16th | Finished 22nd

- RACE 3 | Qualified 17th | Finished 19th

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‍The drivers have been preparing for the heat over the past few weeks through their training leading into this weekend.

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It will be an interesting weekend for the Autosport program and the drivers as this will be the first time the Dunlop Series has raced at Darwin.

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With the internal temperature of the cars running 20 degrees hotter than ambient temperature, there will be some heat in the cockpit with cars running over 50 degrees all three days.

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When it comes to performance, the team will need to have their best tyre whispering abilities this weekend. The heat combined with long straight will be sure to light up the rubber and cause big degradation for everyone in the field.

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The team have had relatively strong results at Hidden Valley over the last few years, with Waters securing a podium in the opening race just last year. The focus for this weekend is full execution from everyone within the Tickford garages as the collective effort is required in the challenging conditions.

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‍This is exactly what was voiced in the quarter season update from the CEO Simon Brookhouse just last week:

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We will always continue to back our own team and the drivers that get behind the wheel each round. The turning point for the season is right around the corner and Darwin is the best opportunity to hit the track to execute that…

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Our goal is always continuous improvement as we strive for absolute excellence ensuring we are trying to be better than our last result. As a team we are totally focused and invested in turning around the current form to be back on that top step.

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We are very excited to be back up in Darwin amongst some of the most passionate fans we see all year. Getting amongst the warm weather with members, partners and supporters is always a perfect combination of a weekend!

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#6 Driver Cam Waters said

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It’s great to be heading back to the top end and amongst the fans in Darwin.

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The break between now and Tassie has been good to get the body ready for the tough Darwin heat. As well for us to really dig deep as a team to try close the gap to the front cars.

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Darwin was pretty good for us last year. We were competitive, so hopefully we can get back up there.

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#55 Driver Thomas Randle said

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Darwin is always a super fun round with the passionate fans and the new liveries we get to roll out this week. Always great to head up there and thaw out from the Melbourne winter!

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A big part of the weekend is focusing on tyre life and looking after the body with the heat that we experience up there. It will be nice having a Friday arvo race as well.

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I know the team is close to unlocking that raw pace we are looking to get back to the pointy end.

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The body feels good heading into one of the more challenging rounds of the year and I can’t wait to be back on track to secure strong results.

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