Supercars drivers head off the track for online championship

The Bathurst champion who misses racing so much he would race a shopping trolley if he was allowed.

Scott McLaughlin, winner of race 2 at the Adelaide 500 Supercar event, Sunday, February 23, 2020. (Photo: Brenton Edwards)

SUPERCAR drivers are bursting out of their skins to get back to racing and with the Supercars Eseries starting tonight one driver claims he would race a shopping trolley around the supermarket if he was allowed.

The 10-week Eseries starts at 7pm with a blast around the Formula One circuit at Monza in Italy, and two races around Phillip Island.

Drivers have spent weeks practicing on simulators for tonight’s first-ever All Stars event, which will be broadcast live on Fox Sports, Kayo and Supercars Facebook pages.

Reigning Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin threatens to turn his on track supremacy into online domination after winning IndyCar’s second iRacing series race at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama from the comfort of his simulator in his Brisbane home in the early hours of Sunday morning.

“It was the weirdest Sunday I’ve ever lived,” McLaughlin said.

“But it was also one of the most satisfying. To win my first IndyCar iRacing Series race was a bloody thrill.

“I know it’s clearly not the real thing but this was a cool box to tick.”

With the Supercars’ on-track season suspended until at least June due to coronavirus, McLaughlin is now primed for the Supercars Eseries - in stark contrast to the build-up to his IndyCar virtual race.

“I was trying my best not to fall asleep,” he said.

“Can you imagine if I missed the start of the race because I nodded off?”

Some of Supercars’ biggest names admit they will feel like rookies when the Eseries starts.

“I haven’t done much driving in a simulator before. It’s all been inside the race car on the track,” said seven-time Supercars champion Jamie Whincup.

“I’m fairly competitive, so I’m hoping after three or four rounds I’ve got a little bit of pace on and can run with the young blokes.”

Supercars rookie Jake Kostecki is among the lesser known drivers who hope to make a name for themselves thanks to their superior simulator experience.

“I’m looking forward to racing these guys and hopefully I can give them a nudge where I can and get a good result,” he said.

Nick Percat is not new to the iRacing world and he is looking forward to the challenge.

“I’ve had a sim since 2012 and have been using iRacing since then,” Percat said.

“I have never really taken it too seriously but I’ve been practicing a lot more now and will fire up and get into the sim groove.

“I’m excited just to race something — I’d race the trolley around the supermarket if I was allowed to.

“This is a great platform for Supercars to still provide our fans and sponsors some entertainment.

“Spa is definitely a track I’m keen to race at. I went to the F1 event last year and imagined driving the Supercar there. Now I can! I’ll be giving it a good hard crack.”

Supercars All Stars Eseries calendar:

Round 1: Phillip Island and Monza (April 8)

Round 2: Silverstone and Barcelona (April 15)

Round 3: Mount Panorama (April 22)

Round 4: Montreal and Watkins Glen (April 29)

Round 5: Spa and Nürburgring (May 6)

Round 6: Circuit of the Americas and Sebring (May 13)

Round 7: Daytona Speedway and Talladega SuperSpeedway (May 20)

Round 8: Imola and Interlagos (May 27)

Round 9: Road Atlanta and Road America (June 3)

Round 10: Oran Park and Mount Panorama (June 10)