Last year

To sum up 2023 - leading the championship seemed like a curse, the battle for the title was a constant see-saw of multiple drivers getting to the lead, then getting involved in something they probably shouldn’t have.

The enduro’s all of a sudden changed the script. Luke Rosella & Harley Haber drove a masterclass on a night where the Co-Drivers got a real working over. For the first time, I really felt myself asking the question “Are the series’ irregulars going to decide this championship? Could someone employed for 2 rounds a year be a defining factor in a 10 round title?”

Who could forget the final stanza of Bathurst. 1000km of racing condensed into about an 80km sprint. Scott v Down v Meyers. Who could forget?

Then to polish off the season, some made their strategy and rulebook comprehension shown where others failed to do so. Who’s taken that learning in the off season? Who studied up prior to 2024? When the drivers encounter those high, high pressures this year who will be transformed into diamonds, and who will be left standing on the side of the road.

But that's the thing about the past, it doesn't matter anymore and the next result is the only one worth thinking about.

2024 points of interest

5 Rookies will be making their debut at Round 1:

• Andre Youssif - Altus Esports Australia
• Michael Whiting - Fishy Motorsports
• Connor Nixon - Vermillion Motorsports
• Jacob O’Reilly - Vermillion Motorsports
• Zachary Rattray-White - Vermillion Motorsports

5 drivers previously used in a Co-driver role will also be making their full time debut as well!

First, the obvious point. Vermillion Motorsports has come out of nowhere and put together a well functioning Supercars programme. First attempt and they immediately put 3 drivers straight into the series.

Second, what a start to the year for Jarrad Filsell. Some might look at the Lobs Esports driver as a bit of a villain after multiple trips to the stewards’ office last year. Turning over a new leaf? Maybe…. But maybe being forced down the route of the Qualifying series brought out a renewed energy and vigour. Either way, he’s in form for Round 1, maybe the extra laps have helped to find the hundredths of a second required to be at the front.

Time for some numbers!

3 seasons - 3 starts from Sebring

2022

4 cars covered by less than 6 tenths of a second created a phenomenal finish won by TTR’s Brady Meyers, with TTR teammate Jake Burton running out of fuel within touching distance of a win.
2x TTR cars in the top 4

2023

TTR’s Madison Down and Brady Meyer’s were separated by 4 tenths at the line. 2 years in a row 2 TTR cars in the top 4 separated by 3-4 tenths of a second.

Conclusion? Trans Tasman always get their campaign off to a flying start from Sebring!

Additionally, and for me the key factor, paint has been swapped on the final lap inside the top 10 on both trips to the old American Airfield.

I’d be keeping my eyes out for probably a strong run from the NineFive crew as well. Shawn Mcnamara picked up a golden ticket and Griffin Gardiner was also on song - Qualifying with only 3 rounds from the Qualifying Series.

What about Madison Down? He’ll be here defending his title. He’s won just about every bit of Supercars silverware you possibly can. He won this race last year. Odds on favourite, but not by much. I had to know, what keeps the motivation kicking?

“I’m just competitive. I love the challenge of extracting every last bit of pace and the satisfaction of executing better than anyone else. We all love to win and hate losing so even after 15 years of sim racing I still want to be at the front fighting for wins.”

LOBS Esports is going to be one of those topics that gets discussed a lot - lets look at their driver roster as the team makes their debut.

• James Scott
• Jarrad Filsell
• Dylan Rudd
• Luke Rosella

A number of drivers with a tonne of talent means this team will regularly be competing for wins. Something else to keep in mind is going to be their relationship with some of the best options in terms of potential Co-drivers. We won’t know for certain until we get to Sandown, but there are already rumours circulating this is where Brodie Kostecki will be driving…. Given everything going on for him right now that may not materialise, but keep your mind open and anything can happen.

Something of note is that the LOBS Esports drivers left a very tenuous relationship with Synergy Sim Racing as well. Ultimately that leaves Synergy in a weaker position and means that the target for team Synergy moves down a half step. Could this moving around in the driver and teams market play out on track? When its no longer dealing with a “team car” anything could happen… I’ll certainly be keeping an eye on this as it develops!

With that in mind, its going to be a bumpy ride! Tune in to see all the action from 7.45pm AEDT on Wednesday 13th March as 2024’s Logitech G Pro Invitational gets underway!