Ignition Australia Ignition Feb 2019 - AU - JOOMAG | Page 16

"
Just 8/10ths of a
second separated
the entire
Supercar field
in qualifying at
Newcastle’s final
round last year -
something that is
unparalleled by
any Touring Car
championship in
the world.
After an incredible 2018 Supercars season that saw the Championship once again
decided at the final race of the final round on the streets of Newcastle in late November,
all is set for a new era in Supercar racing to take shape in 2019.
It was DJR Team Penske that emerged victorious last season with 25 year old New
Zealander, Scott McLaughlin, taking his first title from rival Kiwi, Shane Van Gisbergen,
after a drama filled and action packed final round. It was also fittingly the 17th Australian
Touring Car / Supercar Championship victory for Ford, won by car number 17, in the final
- Paul Marinelli
ever race for the Ford Falcon after more than four decades of competition.
The end of the 2018 Supercar season also marked the end of another era as it was the last
to feature Australian designed and manufactured cars. As of the 2019 season, the Falcon
can no longer take part in the main Supercars championship but you will continue to see
Falcons and Commodores in the Super2 (formerly the Supercar Development Series)
and newly christened Super 3 (formerly V8 Touring Cars) championships in future years.
The 2019 season brings some major changes with the first two door Supercars to hit
the track being Ford Mustangs (pictured top right) campaigned by DJR Team Penske
and Tickford Racing. Holden will continue with the newly imported Commodore and it
is unknown whether we are to see GM’s flagship performance coupe, the Camaro, enter
the championship in the future. This may depend largely on the racing success and
public reaction of the Ford Mustang Supercars both on and off the track, which could
force their hand to bringing their own two door muscle car into the sport. If GM does not
do it, there is a possibility that Holden Special Vehicles, which is independently owned,
may do so as the exclusive importer of the model.
While Nissan Altima Supercars will return to the track in 2019, they do so without Nissan
factory support in 2019. Towards the end of the 2018 Supercars championship, news had
emerged that Kia Motors had expressed interest in joining the series, but a firm decision
is still some time to come.
16 CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2019