The 2021 Supercars Championship (commercially known as the 2021 Repco Supercars Championship) was a motor racing series for Supercars. It was the twenty-third running of the Supercars Championship and the twenty-fifth series in which Supercars have contested the Australian Touring Car Championship, the premier title in Australian motorsport. Atlanta-based international auto parts conglomerate Genuine Parts Company, through the consumer auto parts brand Repco, replaced Virgin Australia as naming rights sponsor under a five-year partnership, which was later expanded to eight years at the end of the 2022 prizegiving banquet.
Shane van Gisbergen and Triple Eight Race Engineering won the drivers' and teams' championship respectively with one round to go.[1][2]
Teams and drivers
The following teams and drivers competed in the 2021 championship.
Team changes
In February 2020, Holden's parent company General Motors announced it would retire the Holden name by the end of 2020.[47] The Commodore ZB continues to be raced in 2021, albeit with no factory support.[48]
Team Penske sold its majority shareholding in DJR Team Penske at the end of 2020, the team reverting its name to Dick Johnson Racing, which was last used in 2014.[49]
The Grove Group purchased a majority in Kelly Racing, to become Kelly Grove Racing.[50]
Blanchard Racing Team ceased to be a customer of Brad Jones Racing and took its Racing Entitlement Contract (REC) to become a standalone team with an ex-23Red Racing Ford Mustang. To allow it to continue fielding four cars, Brad Jones Racing purchased 23Red Racing's REC that was leased to Tickford Racing in 2020, which saw the latter downsize from four cars to three cars.[51][52]
Driver changes
Dick Johnson Racing fielded an all new line-up for 2021. Scott McLaughlin did not defend his title, leaving the series to race in the IndyCar Series with Team Penske.[49] This was the first time the champion has not returned to defend his championship since Craig Lowndes did not defend his 1996 title. It was originally planned that he would return to drive with the team as an endurance co-driver, however this did not eventuate due to ongoing COVID-19 travel restrictions.[53][54] Fabian Coulthard moved to Team Sydney. Anton de Pasquale, who moved from Erebus Motorsport,[55] and Will Davison drove for the team. For Davison, he returned to the team he last raced for full time from 2006 until 2008.
Erebus Motorsport fielded an all new line-up. David Reynolds and Anton de Pasquale left the team, and were replaced by Super2 drivers Will Brown and Brodie Kostecki.[30][32] Reynolds returned to Kelly Grove Racing, having last raced for the team in 2011, to replace Rick Kelly, who retired from full-time racing at the end of 2020.[11][56]
Tickford Racing scaled back to three cars, Lee Holdsworth departed the team and Jack Le Brocq moved to the number 5 car. Holdsworth joined Walkinshaw Andretti United as an endurance co-driver with Chaz Mostert.[21]
Garry Jacobson left Matt Stone Racing to join Team Sydney. Zane Goddard and Jake Kostecki, who shared a car for the team in 2020, both raced for the team in all races.[57]
As a result of Team Sydney signing Fabian Coulthard and Garry Jacobson, Chris Pither and Alex Davison did not return as full-time drivers. Pither joined Brad Jones Racing as an endurance co-driver with Macauley Jones and Davison joined Dick Johnson Racing as an endurance co-driver for brother Will Davison due to Scott McLaughlin's inability to return for Bathurst.[54]
Mid-season changes
On 4 November, Kelly Grove Racing driver David Reynolds was ruled out of the remaining Sydney Motorsport Park rounds for failing to comply with New South Wales Health Orders regarding mandatory COVID-19 vaccination. He was replaced by Luke Youlden, who made his solo debut in the series.[13] Reynolds was originally scheduled to return to the team for the Bathurst 1000,[58] however on 18 November, it was announced that he would return for round 11 at Sydney Motorsport Park.[59]
Calendar
Round | Event | Circuit | Location | Dates | Map |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mount Panorama 500 | Mount Panorama Circuit | Bathurst, New South Wales | 27–28 February | |
2 | Sandown SuperSprint | Sandown Raceway | Springvale, Victoria | 20–21 March | |
3 | Tasmania SuperSprint | Symmons Plains Raceway | Launceston, Tasmania | 17–18 April | |
4 | The Bend SuperSprint | The Bend Motorsport Park | Tailem Bend, South Australia | 8–9 May | |
5 | Darwin Triple Crown | Hidden Valley Raceway | Darwin, Northern Territory | 19–20 June | |
6 | Townsville 500 | Reid Park Street Circuit | Townsville, Queensland | 10–11 July | |
7 | Townsville SuperSprint | 17–18 July | |||
8 | Sydney SuperNight | Sydney Motorsport Park | Eastern Creek, New South Wales | 30–31 October | |
9 | 6–7 November | ||||
10 | Sydney SuperSprint | 13–14 November | |||
11 | Sydney SuperNight | 20–21 November | |||
12 | Bathurst 1000 | Mount Panorama Circuit | Bathurst, New South Wales | 5 December | |
Source:[60][61][62][63][64] |
Calendar changes
The Adelaide 500 did not appear on the calendar for the first time since 1998, with the South Australian Tourism Commission withdrawing its financial support citing the after-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and dwindling attendances as key factors.[65]
Auckland, Gold Coast, Perth, Tasmania, Melbourne and Winton were due to return to the calendar after they were cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[66]
The season commenced with a sprint round, the Mount Panorama 500, at Mount Panorama after the Bathurst 12 Hour was cancelled due to the ongoing travel restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic.[67] The season was intended to end at the Gold Coast,[68] changing from two 300 km endurance races to two single driver 250 km sprint races to become the Gold Coast 500. However, the Gold Coast round was subsequently cancelled.
Sandown was dropped from the original calendar, however was reinstated after the Melbourne 400 supporting the Australian Grand Prix was postponed and later cancelled.[68] In doing so, Sandown hosted its first sprint round since 2011.
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic
A pre-season test day was planned for all teams at Sydney Motorsport Park. With COVID-19 border closures, this was amended with all Queensland based teams and Team Sydney using Queensland Raceway, while the Victorian teams and Brad Jones Racing used Winton.[69]
The Albert Park round, which was scheduled to be a support category of the Australian Grand Prix, was moved to Sandown Raceway after the Grand Prix was postponed, then later cancelled in July 2021.[70][71]
The Tasmania SuperSprint round was rescheduled from 10–11 April to 17–18 April due to a COVID-19 outbreak in Brisbane.[63]
The Winton SuperSprint round was postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak in Melbourne.[64] Subsequently its place on the calendar was replaced by the Townsville SuperSprint, replicating the Townsville double header in 2020.[72]
With challenges from COVID-19, the calendar was revised, with the series set to resume at the Winton SuperSprint, with the Sydney SuperNight being rescheduled to the 19–21 November due to a COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney, it was due to be held on 21–22 August.[73] Phillip Island was due to return to the calendar for the first time since 2019.[74] Subsequently the Perth and Auckland events were cancelled.[75]
The calendar was revised once again, as the COVID-19 Delta outbreaks in New South Wales and Victoria caused the Phillip Island, Winton and Gold Coast events to be cancelled.[76][77][78] The series resumed at Sydney Motorsport Park, with a quadruple-header utilising various formats and a mix of day and night racing, and ended at the Bathurst 1000.[79][80]
Series changes
Regulation changes
The championship awarded five bonus championship points to the driver who sets the fastest lap. These points will only be awarded in the sprint races.[81]
A third tyre type, the Super Soft, was used at the Darwin and the fourth Sydney Motorsport Park events.[82]
Other changes
Repco, who were already the Supercars’ official automotive parts retailer, succeeded Virgin Australia as the title sponsor of the series until 2025.[83]
A new five-year broadcast deal commenced in 2021. Fox Sports are continuing to show all rounds while the Seven Network took over from Network Ten as the free to air broadcaster, showing six rounds live, including the Bathurst 1000.[84][85]
Results and standings
Season summary
Points system
Points were awarded for each race at an event, to the driver or drivers of a car that completed at least 75% of the race distance and was running at the completion of the race. At least 50% of the planned race distance must be completed for the result to be valid and championship points awarded.
Points format | Position | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 11th | 12th | 13th | 14th | 15th | 16th | 17th | 18th | 19th | 20th | 21st | 22nd | 23rd | 24th | 25th | 26th | FL | ||
Bathurst | 300 | 276 | 258 | 240 | 222 | 204 | 192 | 180 | 168 | 156 | 144 | 138 | 132 | 126 | 120 | 114 | 108 | 102 | 96 | 90 | 84 | 78 | 72 | 66 | 60 | |||
2*250 km | 150 | 138 | 129 | 120 | 111 | 102 | 96 | 90 | 84 | 78 | 72 | 69 | 66 | 63 | 60 | 57 | 54 | 51 | 48 | 45 | 42 | 39 | 36 | 33 | ||||
SuperSprint | 100 | 92 | 86 | 80 | 74 | 68 | 64 | 60 | 56 | 52 | 48 | 46 | 44 | 42 | 40 | 38 | 36 | 34 | 32 | 30 | 28 | 26 | 24 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 5 |
- Bathurst: Used for the Bathurst 1000.
- 2*250 km: Used for the Mount Panorama 500, Townsville 500 and Sydney SuperNight 3.
- SuperSprint: Used for all SuperSprint races, the Darwin Triple Crown and Sydney SuperNight 1 and 2.
Drivers' Championship
|
|
Teams' championship
|
|
Beaurepaires Sydney Cup
|
Notes
- ↑ Race 30 was suspended due to torrential rain and could not be re-started. As less than 50% of the race distance had been completed when the race was abandoned, no points were awarded.
References
- ↑ Pavey, James (20 November 2021). "Red Bull Ampol Racing clinches 2021 teams' title". Supercars.
- ↑ Pavey, James (21 November 2021). "No result declared for Race 30, van Gisbergen secures title". Supercars.
- ↑ "CoolDrive Racing Launches New Supercars Team for 2021". Supercars Championship. Supercars. 13 November 2020.
- ↑ Chapman, Simon (15 January 2021). "Blanchard confirms Bathurst 1000 co-drive plans". Speedcafe. Speedcafe. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ↑ "Tickford confirms Holdsworth departure". Supercars Championship. Supercars. 7 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
- 1 2 3 Pavey, James (18 October 2021). "Tickford confirms Enduro Line up". Supercars Championship. Supercars.com. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- ↑ O'Brien, Connor (3 October 2019). "Waters secures future with multi-year deal". Supercars Championship. Supercars. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ↑ "Courtney locked in at Tickford for 2021". Supercars Championship. Supercars. 17 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
- 1 2 O'Brien, Connor (27 October 2020). "How the 2021 grid currently stands". Supercars Championship. Supercars. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ↑ "Campbell replaces Bamber for the Bathurst 1000". Speedcafe. Speedcafe.com. 15 October 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
- 1 2 Mulach, Jordan (15 January 2021). "Reynolds joins Kelly Grove Racing". TouringCarTimes. Mediaempire Group AB. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ↑ Chapman, Simon (3 February 2021). "Youlden reunites with Reynolds". Speedcafe. Speedcafe. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
- 1 2 Pavey, James (4 November 2021). "Youlden to make solo Supercars debut in Sydney". Supercars.
- ↑ "Perkins gave blessing for DJR number switch". www.motorsport.com. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
- ↑ "DJR Confirms D'Alberto Co-Drive". Speedcafe. Speedcafe. 12 March 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
- ↑ Gover, Paul (6 November 2020). "Davison Is 17 Again". Race News. Flatout Publishing. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ↑ Pavey, James (5 October 2021). "2021 Bathurst Co-Drivers so far". Supercars Championship. Supercars. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ↑ O'Brien, Connor (14 October 2020). "Fullwood wins WAU contract extension". Supercars Championship. Supercars. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
- ↑ Chapman, Simon (2 February 2021). "WAU confirms Enduro Line Up". Speedcafe. Speedcafe. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
- ↑ Chapman, Simon (23 February 2020). "CONFIRMED: No Commodore for WAU in 2021". Speedcafe. Speedcafe. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
- 1 2 Chapman, Simon (2 February 2021). "Holdsworth joins WAU". Speedcafe. Speedcafe. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
- ↑ "Jack Smith locked in for BJR return". Supercars Championship. Supercars. 16 December 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
- ↑ Pavey, James (16 November 2021). "Veteran Wall to replace Walsh at BJR for Bathurst". V8 Supercars. Supercars. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ↑ Howard, Tom (19 January 2020). "Percat extends BJR contract". Supercars Championship. Supercars. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
- ↑ O'Brien, Connor (22 February 2021). "Wood to partner Percat for Bathurst 1000". V8 Supercars. Supercars. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
- ↑ Bartholomaeus, Stefan (12 November 2020). "BJR confirms Hazelwood for 2021". Supercars Championship. Supercars. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ↑ Pavey, James (26 March 2021). "Fiore to partner Hazelwood for the Bathurst 1000". Supercars Championship. Supercars. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ↑ Bartholomaeus, Stefan (19 November 2020). "Jones to race on under new banner". Supercars Championship. Supercars. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ↑ O'Brien, Connor (18 February 2021). "Pither secures 2021 Supercars co-drive". Speedcafe. Speedcafe. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
- 1 2 Howard, Tom (11 December 2019). "Brown set to graduate to Supercars in 2021 with Erebus". Speedcafe. Speedcafe. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
- 1 2 Chapman, Simon (19 February 2021). "Erebus recruits veteran co-drivers for Bathurst 1000". Speedcafe. Speedcafe. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- 1 2 "Brodie Kostecki joins Erebus as Reynolds replacement". Supercars Championship. Supercars. 17 December 2020.
- ↑ "Winterbottom scores new long-term deal". Supercars Championship. Supercars. 16 October 2020. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
- 1 2 "Team 18 reveals co-driver pairings". Speedcafe. Speedcafe. 18 February 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
- ↑ "Fabian Coulthard makes switch to Team SYDNEY". Supercars Championship. Supercars. 16 December 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
- 1 2 "Team Sydney confirms Enduro Line up". Supercars Championship. Supercars. 5 August 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
- ↑ "Garry Jacobson joins Team SYDNEY". Supercars Championship. Supercars. 18 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- 1 2 "Matt Stone Racing announces altered line up for 2021". Supercars Championship. Supercars. 17 December 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
- ↑ Pavey, James (10 November 2021). "Kostecki Brothers to unite for Bathurst". Supercars Championship. Supercars. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
- ↑ O'Brien, Connor (3 November 2021). "Ojeda secures 2021 Supercars co-drive". Speedcafe. Speedcafe. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
- ↑ Howard, Tom (19 January 2020). "Whincup extends Triple Eight Racing contract". Speedcafe. Speedcafe. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
- ↑ "Craig Lowndes extends Triple Eight Supercars enduros deal to 2021". Autosport. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
- ↑ Chapman, Simon (21 February 2020). "SVG signs multi-year deal with Triple Eight". Speedcafe. Speedcafe. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
- ↑ O'Brien, Connor (16 January 2021). "One seat left to fill on 2021 Supercars grid". Speedcafe. Speedcafe. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
- 1 2 Bullis, Charlie (20 October 2021). "Wildcards confirmed for Sydney return". Supercars Championship.
- ↑ Chapman, Simon (21 April 2021). "Ingall to make shock Bathurst 1000 return with Triple Eight". Speedcafe. Speedcafe.
- ↑ Sutton, Malcolm (18 February 2020). "Holden vs Ford rivalry delivered a 'death' blow at Supercars Adelaide 500 after Holden exit". abc.net.au. ABC News. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
- ↑ "Triple Eight to bring Camaro to Supercars". Triple Eight Race Engineering. Triple Eight Race Engineering. 14 October 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- 1 2 "TEAM PENSKE WILL NOT RETURN TO SUPERCARS IN 2021". Team Penske. 24 October 2020.
- ↑ Taylor, Aiden (14 January 2021). "Kelly Racing And Grove Group Join Forces To Create Kelly Grove Racing". Kelly Racing.
- ↑ Chapman, Simon (17 November 2020). "Munday confirms sale of REC to Jones, Mustangs leased to Blanchard". Speedcafe. Speedcafe. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ↑ Herrero, Daniel (7 January 2021). "Tickford confirms Holdsworth departure". Speedcafe. Speedcafe. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
- ↑ Calendar change casts doubt on McLaughlin’s Bathurst 1000 return Speedcafe 18 December 2020
- 1 2 McLaughlin to miss Bathurst, Davison brothers reunite Supercars 05 October 2021
- ↑ O'Brien, Connor (5 November 2020). "Erebus confirms De Pasquale departure". Supercars Championship. Supercars.
- ↑ "Rick Kelly retires from full-time driving". Supercars Championship. Supercars. 26 October 2020.
- ↑ Matt Stone Racing announces altered line up for 2021 Supercars 18 January 2021
- ↑ "Kelly Grove Racing Team Statement". Facebook. 4 November 2021.
- ↑ "Reynolds poised for early Supercars return". motorsport.com. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ↑ "Northern Territory Government Newsroom". newsroom.nt.gov.au. Archived from the original on 2 November 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
- ↑ "Future of Supercars secured for Queensland". teq.queensland.com.
- ↑ "Seamer responds to The Bend cancellation criticism". 19 June 2020.
- 1 2 Pavey, James (31 March 2021). "Tasmania Supersprint rescheduled". Supercars Championship.
- 1 2 Supercars.com (27 May 2021). "Supercars statement regarding Winton SuperSprint". Supercars Championship.
- ↑ Herrero, Daniel (29 October 2020). "SA Tourism Commission confirms Adelaide 500 axing". Speedcafe.
- ↑ "Supercars releases revised 13-round 2020/21 calendar". Speedcafe. 17 May 2020.
- ↑ Supercars to hold 2021 season opener in NSW Speedcafe 19 October 2020
- 1 2 Supercars.com (3 December 2020). "Supercars 2021 Calendar Revealed". Supercars Championship.
- ↑ Supercars tests locked in at QR, Winton Speedcafe 19 January 2021
- ↑ Pavey, James (12 January 2021). "Sandown confirmed to replace Albert Park in March". Supercars Championship.
- ↑ Morgan, Cassandra; Fowler, Michael (6 July 2021). "Australian Grand Prix cancelled again due to COVID-19". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment Co. Pty Ltd. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
He pointed to low vaccination rates, national cabinet's decision to halve international arrival caps for returning Australians and Formula One requiring a decision on the event by the end of the week as the crucial factors.
- ↑ Pavey, James (8 July 2021). "Townsville fun in the sun: 2020 doubleheader recap". Supercars Championship. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
- ↑ "Supercars statement regarding Beaurepaires Sydney SuperNight". Supercars. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
- ↑ Pavey, James (5 August 2021). "Supercars confirms return to Phillip Island". Supercars Championship.
- ↑ Pavey, James (30 July 2021). "Supercars unveils revised 2021 calendar". Supercars Championship.
- ↑ "Supercars confirms Gold Coast 500 cancellation". 13 September 2021.
- ↑ Supercars.com (16 September 2021). "Supercars statement regarding planned Winton SuperSprint". Supercars Championship.
- ↑ Supercars.com (10 September 2021). "AGPC confirms Phillip Island round cancellation". Supercars Championship.
- ↑ Pavey, James (1 October 2021). "Formats, tyres confirmed for Sydney events". Supercars Championship.
- ↑ Supercars.com (15 September 2021). "Six-day Repco Bathurst 1000 to round out 2021 season". Supercars Championship.
- ↑ "Supercars hopes new fastest lap points rule will extend title fight".
- ↑ Formats announced for 2021 Repco Supercars Championship Supercars Championship 16 December 2020
- ↑ Repco signs on as Supercars' naming rights partner Supercars Championship 10 September 2020
- ↑ Supercars new $200m TV deal Auto Action 24 September 2020
- ↑ Supercars signs $200m five-year broadcast deal with Foxtel and new FTA partner Seven Mumbrella 24 September 2020