After an 82-day wait, race day returns for the Repco Supercars Championship. The 2026 Supercars season kicks off tonight with a 100-kilometre race under lights at the Sydney 500.
It fires up an expanded 14-event, 37-race season that will see the Championship race in every Australian state, plus the Northern Territory and both the North and South Islands of New Zealand.
But it was wildlife that stole the show during Thursday night’s testing at Sydney Motorsport Park, where kangaroos caused the only interruption of the four-hour session.
Just days after Christopher Mies’ Ford Mustang GT3 hit a kangaroo in the early hours of the Bathurst 12 Hour, it was Cam Waters’ Ford Mustang Supercar that had a near miss with its relatives.
Fortunately, no cars nor marsupials were harmed in the exchange.
Blanchard Racing Team newcomer James Golding (No. 7 CoolDrive Ford Mustang) topped the time sheets Thursday night, with the Red Bull Fords of Broc Feeney (No. 88 Red Bull Ampol Ford Mustang) and Will Brown (No. 888 Red Bull Ampol Ford Mustang).
Anton De Pasquale (No. 18 DeWalt Chevrolet Camaro) was the fastest of the Chevrolet brigade in fourth, while Kiwi Andre Heimgartner (No. 8 R&J Batteries Toyota Supra) was the top Toyota GR Supra in eighth.
But it’s Friday’s results that count, where the first official practice, qualifying and race of the 2026 Supercars season take place.
Cars hit the track at 1:55 pm/3.55pm Friday for practice, with Boost Mobile Qualifying at 4:20 pm/6:20pm., and a 26-lap race at 7:50 p.m/9.50pm (AEDT/NZST)
Today is DUNLOP Free Friday, with free General Admission access available to fans for Friday only.
Live coverage of the Sydney 500 can be found on Sky Sports for NZ fans or Foxtel and the Seven Network, with live streaming on Kayo and 7plus in Australia.
Tickets and corporate hospitality can be purchased via Supercars.com and Ticketek.
Header Image: Supplied
