SANDOWN 500 FORMAT EXPLAINED

AS WELL as standing out as the retro round, the Sandown 500 is distinguished by a unique qualifying format.

Principally, two 60 km races on Saturday decide grid positions for Sunday’s 161-lap enduro, the first two-driver event of the season.

But first, there is a normal 20-minute qualifying session on Saturday morning that is open to any driver, which invariably means the main driver – the one who competes in the whole Supercars championship – will be dispatched to secure the best initial position.

Qualifying will set the line-up for the first 20-lap Race For The Grid, which is contested by the nominated co-drivers.

The finishing order of the opening Saturday afternoon dash decides the starting positions for the primary drivers in the second Race For The Grid.

The winner of that gains pole position for his or her car for Sunday’s 500 km main event, with the rest of the grid determined by finishing positions.

The results of the qualifying races don’t count in the official record book, nor are points awarded.

However, the pole-winning combination earns that distinction as an official statistic.

It’s up to the teams whether their regular driver or the co-driver starts the 500, although it’s often the secondary driver who is designated to get at least one of his stints out of the way early with the aim of having the gun behind the wheel for the inevitable battle to the chequered flag.

The Sandown 500 is the opening round of the three-event Enduro Cup sub-championship, followed by the Bathurst 1000 and the Gold Coast 600’s twin 300 km mini-enduros.

The Enduro Cup title is awarded to the highest scoring duo in all four races.

The defending champions are Tickford Racing’s Chaz Mostert and Steve Owen, who have been split this year.

Mostert is now paired with former series regular James Moffat, while Owen has been redeployed as rookie full-timer Richie Stanaway’s partner.

The endurance races are also crucial to the Supercars championship battle, with a maximum score of 900 points available.

Triple Eight Holden’s Shane van Gisbergen is locked in what is effectively a two-way all-Kiwi title fight with DJ Team Penske Ford’s Scott McLaughlin, while their powerhouse squads are also battling for the teams’ prize.

Van Gisbergen, newly partnered with twice Le Mans 24 Hours-winning compatriot Earl Bamber, leads McLaughlin, reuniting with Frenchman Alex Premat, by just 19 points.

Defending V8 champion Jamie Whincup, again paired with veteran part-timer Paul Dumbrell, trails teammate van Gisbergen by a notionally unassailable 362 points.

But while he is more than a round adrift, Whincup remains a long-odds threat to steal a record-extending eighth Supercars crown.

Triple Eight’s Red Bull Holden Racing Team is 513 points ahead of DJRTP’s Shell V-Power Racing – the reigning teams’ champion – with eight races to go.

To read our full Pirtek Enduro Cup preview, pick up the latest issue of Auto Action (1744) which is on sale now.

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