Sydney Motorsport Park holds an envious history in regards to the Repco Supercars Championship covering more than three decades, so here is a comprehensive overview of all the stats heading into this weekend’s event.
The most winningest driver at SMSP is actually in the commentary box. Mark Skaife can lay claim to this honour having scored 10 wins in Sydney scored all in Holden machinery, the first being in 1995 for Gibson Motorsport. It was a record setting final victory in 2007 when he broke Peter Brock’s benchmark of 37 round wins.
Second to Skaife just two wins in arrears is current Red Bull Ampol Racing Team driver Shane van Gisbergen, who won the opening race at the circuit last year.
Third on the list is Marcos Ambrose on seven wins all taken during a golden period for the Tasmanian and Stone Brothers Racing when he sealed both his titles in Sydney.
New Zealand ace and current IndyCar star Scott McLaughlin leads the pole position count on 10, scoring his first with Garry Rogers Motorsport during its Volvo era.
A driver for McLaughlin’s former team, Shell V-Power Racing’s Anton De Pasquale is hot on his heels on eight pole positions significantly aided by a hot streak during the four Sydney events in a row two seasons ago approaching Bathurst.
Ambrose in addition to Skaife once again feature alongside Chaz Mostert and Jamie Whincup with three apiece.
Of course, van Gisbergen holds the most wins in the current field on eight ahead of De Pasquale on five, Mostert has three, Mobil 1 NTI Racing’s Nick Percat has won two times and Will Davison holds a solitary victory from back in 2008 when he secured his first round honour.
McLaughlin may have departed at the end of 2020, but he still holds the qualifying lap record at a 1m 27.742s, while Whincup retains the fastest race lap at a 1m 29.842s achieved in 2018. Will the Gen3 Supercars lower this mark?
Sydney Motorsport Park has hosted three night touring car events, the first being won by Craig Lowndes in 1996. Making a return 22 years later, van Gisbergen led home teammate Whincup in a Red Bull 1-2, before replicating the result last season ahead of De Pasquale.