The V8 Supercars are gearing up for the Wilson Security Sandown 500 and if anyone says the weekend of racing will be predictable then they are not paying attention or… lying! Well, lying may be a stretch… but it’s easy to conclude that two huge factors will make this year’s event a classic nail-biter.
One of the first things to make note of is the familiar driver pairing of Paul Dumbrell and Jamie Whincup. The two drivers have captured the Wilson Security Sandown 500 checkered flag the last two seasons. However, reports are that there may be some issues with vibrations due to a new chassis. According to reports from V8 Supercars.com the vibrations may have ruined a complete test session at Queensland Raceway for Whincup.
Another factor that will have an impact on the races is that legendary, and retired, driver Russell Ingall will be filling in for James Courtney of Holden Racing Team. Courtney decided that he was not ready to tackle an endurance race following his bizarre injury and nearly weeklong hospital stay. The injuries came when a piece of pit equipment was blown free by a low-flying Navy helicopter at the Sydney Motorsport Park. The debris struck Courtney while he was in the pit lane area causing broken ribs and lung damage.
On a side note the endurance style race has it’s built in quirks that can possibly cause havoc. This includes the two separate qualifying races that determine the starting grid for the Wilson Security Sandown 500. The question is if the drivers will take it easy but still race to get the best starting position for their team? Or, does somebody push the limit and possibly damage a V8 Supercar before the main event even starts?
Who knows how things shake out when the checkered flag flies. Will the chassis problems for the reigning champs be solved? And will a legendary driver filling in for a present day injured V8 Supercar star be a factor? The one sure outcome is that the September 11 thru 13 running of the Wilson Security Sandown 500 will be another gem for V8 Supercar fans.
For enthusiasts within the Middle East and Africa, there is still time to subscribe to the race to be held in Melbourne, Australia which will be broadcast live on OSN.