Mostert and Wood Conquer the Bend's Wet Chaos

Rain lashed the asphalt at The Bend, turning the 3.4km West circuit into a slick, treacherous ribbon of grey. Chaz Mostert held the line, his black GR Supra slicing through the mist as the engine note faded into the distance behind him. Beside him, Ryan Wood’s car tracked the same wet path, the two machines locked in a silent, high-speed dialogue that defined the first Supercars endurance race at this venue. The air smelled of ozone and damp eucalyptus, a sharp scent that hung heavy over the red dirt landscape while the field fought for grip on the shiny surface.

Walkinshaw TWG Racing claimed first and third, a result that silenced doubts about the Toyota engine package in long-distance conditions. Mostert, starting from 11th, crossed the line 18.48 seconds ahead of the Grove Racing Ford Mustang driven by Kai Allen and Tim Slade. The victory was a testament to the co-drivers’ skill, particularly Fabian Coulthard and Jaxson Evans, whose wet-weather expertise turned a difficult start into a podium sweep for the team.

New Zealand specialists master the slicks

Coulthard, who last won at this circuit six years ago, described the conditions as the wildest he had ever experienced. He noted that while the weather was fine, the surface was dangerously shiny. His driving was pivotal, allowing Mostert to manage the final stint with confidence. Mostert praised his co-driver, stating that Coulthard’s performance was unbelievable and that he had asked the team to put him in only for the end, trusting the New Zealander to set the pace.

Jaxson Evans, in third place alongside Wood, delivered a maiden Supercar podium with a stint of over 80 laps. Wood expressed disbelief at his co-driver’s consistency, noting that Evans put the car in a position to win. Evans himself admitted to nervousness when told he would stay out while the lead driver changed, but he tightened his belts and kept swinging, delivering a drive that Wood called wicked and essential for their final result.

Chaos reshapes the midfield order

Behind the leaders, the race was punctuated by incidents and penalties. Kai Allen’s team had a close call when their car aquaplaned on the main straight in sixth gear, dropping them back before they recovered. Allen credited Slade for making the race easy, despite some radio issues and a safety car period that disrupted his rhythm. Slade described the conditions as good to drive when not too wet, highlighting the team’s support during the chaotic stints.

The battle for fourth place was fraught with errors. Matt Payne and Will Davison, driving for Grove, were turned around in the first corner and fell to the rear. They stormed back through the field, but a clash with Jayden Ojeda’s Chevrolet Camaro resulted in a five-second penalty, dropping them to sixth. This allowed Will Brown and Scott Pye of Triple Eight to move into fourth, despite Pye suffering a flat tire and a 15-second penalty for contact, and Brown receiving a pitlane infringement penalty.

Chevrolet resilience in the rain

The GM Racing teams faced a controversial parity adjustment applied on the eve of the event, adding pressure to their weekend. Jayden Ojeda and David Russell managed to find pace in the second half, finishing as the best of the Chevrolets. The race started in very wet conditions, with almost all teams struggling to find rhythm, but the ability to adapt to the changing surface ultimately determined the final classification.

As reported by Motorsport.com, the event served as a crucial test for the new circuit configuration. The 500km distance on the shorter West layout provided a unique challenge, testing both driver skill and car reliability. The result confirmed that Walkinshaw TWG Racing had the most consistent package in the wet, with their drivers and co-drivers executing a flawless strategy that withstood the chaos of the race.