Territorian Rossi Johnson positive following up-and-down weekend
From two Territorians fighting valiantly in tough conditions to a rookie Supercars team claiming their maiden pole, read the recap of the Darwin Triple Crown.
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The 2024 Darwin Triple Crown proved an up-and-down affair for two of the Territory’s top drivers.
From spin-outs and poor qualifying to bad luck and slow cars, team NT will be looking towards 2025 with zeal.
Middy’s Supercars driver Bryce Fullwood had a tough day in front of his hometown crowd, unable to recapture his pace and top 10s 12 months prior.
Fullwood finished 17th in Saturday’s race after qualifying in 16th, and fell down the pack on Sunday, crossing the line in 18th after qualifying in 14th.
The other Top End talent on show was Rossi Johnson in the SuperUtes.
Nicknamed ‘The Territorian’ by his peers, Johnson had high hopes headed into the weekend, eager to put on a show in front of his family and friends.
Unfortunately for Johnson, he had a poor Friday and an even worse Saturday.
Not able to finish Race 1 meant Johnson started from dead last in Race 2, in which he crossed the line in 17th.
The number 333 Plenti entry then started in 17th for Race 3 and put together a dogged performance.
Jetting off the line and avoiding a monster crash at the third turn, Johnson fought through the pack to cross the finish in 13th.
“Usually I can handle the nerves well and it doesn’t get the better of me, but in Race 1, I had butterflies,” Johnson said.
“I had some hard luck this weekend. In part due to some of my decision making, other issues and external circumstances.
“I got off the line quickly and bombed it into turn one, but on old tyres, it was a bit difficult to keep pace.
“I made up about a fair number of places, but I was driving a bit conservatively towards the end, not wanting to throw away the good work.
Race 4 was another bout of rotten luck for Johnson who spun out on lap 1, dropping from 13th to last.
However, through sheer grit and determination, Johnson fought tooth and nail, clawing himself back among the pack, crossing the checkered flag 12th.
Despite the results, Johnson remained upbeat about the weekend, proud to showcase his talents on home soil.
“It’s (racing at home) surreal,” he said
“I was wanting to put together a great result plus a show in front of my family, friends, sponsors and the Darwin community.
“Definitely my favourite stop on the calendar.”
PREMIAIR NULON RACING’S LOVE AFFAIR FOR DARWIN GROWS WITH MAIDEN POLE POSITION
PremiAir Nulon Racing has finally broken their duck, sealing their maiden pole position at the Darwin Triple Crown 2024.
A long time in the making, having taken over the team two and a half years ago, team owners Peter and Carmen Xiberras couldn’t have been more happy with the heroic performance of their driver James Golding.
Edging out the likes of Red Bull and Erebus, Nulon Racing showed the world that something special is brewing within the Sydney-based outfit.
“Nothing can buy this,” Peter said while reflecting on the team’s first pole.
“There’s probably some people out there who might think that we’re an overnight success, but this has been two and a half years in the making.
“This puts the belief in us that we can rub shoulders with the best in the sport, and will only accelerate our journey.
“We came here and we achieved more than we probably would’ve ever thought.
Eleventh in the constructors championship following a slow start to the season, the weekend’s results has seen the rookie team shoot up into eighth, leaving Carmen lamenting the trip up north had to come to a close.
“We love this event and Darwin,” she said.
“Everyone is so welcoming, and the place is beautiful, and being Indigenous Round makes it all the more special.
“This event seems to bring the community together and I’ll be a bit sad when we have to pack up and leave.
“We’ve been here a few times now for Supercars and drag racing and we always end up leaving with the same good feeling every year.”
Territorians take their chance at Darwin Triple Crown
Darwinites witnessed an Australian first as the Supercars performed their first ever Track to Town drive in the country on Thursday.
Supercars fans lined the streets as the 25 cars put on the revs through the streets on their way from the Hidden Valley Raceway to the Esplanade.
It preceded a signing session where throngs of excited motorsports enthusiasts lined up to meet their driving heroes ahead of the Darwin Triple Crown.
The Track to Town was a dream moment for hometown hero Bryce Fullwood, getting to drive his Supercar through the streets he grew up around.
“It’s awesome to be back home in Darwin, this is obviously my favourite round of the year,” he said.
“The Darwinites really love the event and the drive into town was epic, there were people the whole way from Hidden Valley to the Esplanade.
“It’s so cool for people to see our cars, not everyone is able to make it to the track and it’s really cool to show them how loud and raw they are.
“I never thought I would get to drive a Supercar on the streets of Darwin, but it’s a dream 10-year-old me had, I feel like my life’s complete.”
It’s also a round of milestones for other racers with both 2010 Supercars champion James Courtney and two-time Bathurst 100 winner Will Davison set to race in their 250th rounds.
The betr Darwin Triple Crown is Supercars’ official Indigenous Round, with all 25 cars donning special liveries adorned with Indigenous artwork.
Supercars hit the track late Friday morning for a one-hour practice session ahead of qualifying for Race 11 of the 2024 championship.
Tickets to Supercars’ annual visit to the Top End can be purchased at Supercars.com.
ROSSI JOHNSON EXCITED TO RACE AT HOME
Territorian Rossi Johnson will get his first chance to show off his SuperUte capabilities in front of his home crowd when he hits the track at Hidden Valley.
The young driver was awarded the 2024 Northern Territory and South Australian future star award earlier this year as part of his ongoing rise in the world of racing.
He made the jump from Toyota 86s to SuperUtes and has already made an impression across the season.
And as one of the Territorians currently competing in a national championship series, alongside Supercars driver Bryce Fullwood, he’s looking forward to getting to show his stuff at home.
“I’m really looking forward to racing in front of my home crowd in the V8 SuperUte series, I’ve had some great territory sponsors join me for Round 2 of the series,” he said.
“It’s really exciting being one of the very few drivers from the Territory and I’m going to relish the opportunity to compete here.”
The Territorian got his first taste of SuperUte action at Bathurst where he impressed in a few of the races with strong finishes.
The number 333 will be decked out in a special livery designed by local Larrakeyah artist Willie Hewitt for the Darwin Indigenous round.
And Johnson will be hoping those colours are well spotted by Top Enders with four races across the weekend, and qualifying on Friday.
“Although the Hidden Valley track may look simple it’s definitely a track that will encourages chaos in these loose V8 SuperUtes,” Johnson said.
“It’s been a long break between races on the SuperUtes calendar so I’m really looking forward to gaining some valuable championship points to take to Sydney for Round 3.”
LILLY LUCHICH’S HEART JOURNEY REPRESENTED ON SUPERCARS LIVERY
An NT teen living with heart disease will watch her artwork take off at breakneck speeds after being invited to collaborate on the design of a special Supercars livery for the Darwin Supercars round.
Larrakia teen and Heart Kid Lilly Luchich, 13, was found to have a hole in her heart shortly after birth, and has suffered from congenital heart disease since.
Art has become an outlet for the young Territorian and now, with the help of Supercheap Auto and national not-for-profit HeartKids her heart will feature in the Australian Supercars Indigenous round.
Ms Luchich was invited to collaborate with Indigenous artist William Hewitt to create the livery for Supercheap Auto’s 888 Chevrolet Camaro Supercar, which will be driven by Cooper Murray.
She said she was grateful for Heartkids support during her heart journey and proud to be part of the design for the Supercheap auto livery.
It comes as part of the 2024 Hero for HeartKids fundraising campaign with Supercheap Auto aiming to provide a unique opportunity to a Heart kid.
The racing team heard Lilly’s story and quickly realised the impact they could create by having her original artwork as their livery for the Darwin round.
In addition the brand’s in-store fundraising efforts have already raised more than $500,000 for Heartkids.
Supercheap Auto sponsorship manager Justin Murray said they were “honoured to share Lilly’s story” by displaying her artwork on the vehicle.
Everything you need to know about 2024 Supercars
June 12: The Darwin Triple Crown is back with a bang in 2024.
The motorsport extravaganza will take part out at the Hidden Valley Raceway with festivities kicking off from Wednesday afternoon.
Darwin-born Supercars driver Bryce Fullwood will be on show and will be hard to miss in his hot pink Middy’s car entry.
A happy hunting ground for the 26-year-old, he will be looking to emulate his 2023 form with two top-eight finishes.
Rossi Johnson will be the second Territorian on show, ripping it up in the V8 SuperUtes.
Having made the jump from Toyota 86s to SuperUtes for the 2024 season, this will be the young drivers maiden outing in the Utes in front of a home crowd.
SCHEDULE
ON-TRACK
Friday:
All day will be practice sessions and qualifying runs for support categories and Supercars plus on track entertainment.
Saturday:
– V8 SuperUtes Race 1 (9am)
– Supercars Top 10 Shootout (11.35am)
– V8 SuperUtes Race 2 (12.40pm)
– Supercars Race 11 (3.10pm)
Sunday:
– V8 SuperUtes Race 3 (8.45am)
– Supercars Top 10 Shootout (11.35am)
– V8 SuperUtes Race 4 (1.15pm)
– Supercars Race 12 (3.10pm)
OFF-TRACK
Wednesday, June 12:
Night Transporter Convoy (4-7.30pm)
The Convoy will depart from Hidden Valley at 5.45pm, make their way through Palmerston and back into the centre of Darwin before heading back to the racetrack.
Thursday, June 13:
Track to Town (4-6pm)
For the first time in Australian history the Supercars will travel from the racecourse to the Esplanade (near the Bicentennial Park Play Space) for punters to get up close and personal with each car, as well as live music and food trucks to keep the party going.
Driver Signing Session (5pm)
Fans will have a 45 minute window to get up close and personal with the drivers for autographs and selfies.
Friday, June 14:
Kids Zone (11am-2pm)
Located at the Valley Infield in Track Centre, there will be activities for the kids ranging from a disco and a circus workshop to an animal craft station and a Hot Wheels Race Car zone.
Drag Racing/Entertainment (12.40pm-10.30pm)
From stuntmen on Harleys and Top Fuel to Funnycars and Doorslammers, there will be no shortage of high octane entertainment.
Merch Alley (All-day)
Get the latest merch at the Pit Paddock
Saturday, June 15:
Teens Zone (10am-9pm)
Older kids will have a ‘Teens Den’ to keep them occupied when not watching the racing, with arcade games, laser tag and a VR experience at the Valley Infield in Track Centre under the Sky Deck.
Sports Hub (10am-4.30pm)
Located at the Valley Infield in Track Centre, kids can try their hand at minigolf, footy, rugby and touch.
Kids Zone (9am-4pm)
Drag Racing/Entertainment (12.40pm-10.30pm)
Merch Alley (All-day)
Sunday, June 16:
Hardwired Entertainment (9.40am, 10.45am and 12.15am)
Watch professional stuntmen pull off wild tricks on Harley-Davidsons.
Sports Hub (10am-4.30pm)
Kids Zone (9am-4pm)
Teens Zone (10am-5pm)
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