Supercars: Leader Will Brown not thinking about title before Gold Coast

“All those guys at the top of the championship have been so consistent this year that it has been very difficult. We have achieved sixteen podium finishes in twenty races and I still don’t feel like we have a huge lead or that we feel comfortable.

“This year has been about consistency, and it’s been so hard to win a ton of races (Brown has four wins) because any of the 10 guys can win a race. The field of participants is so strong this year. I try to prepare as best as possible and roll out the back of the truck to get up to speed as quickly as possible.”

Brown is no stranger to battling a teammate. Last year he teamed up with Brodie Kostecki (the 2023 Supercars champion) at Erebus Racing, pushing him hard at times to finish fifth in the 2023 championship with four wins.

The 26-year-old Queenslander is once again enjoying the team-mate battle and staying ahead of Feeney in the title race.

“We are both fast and every time you go to a track you want to beat your teammate and that in itself is a lot of pressure.

“I had the same thing with Brodie last year and I’m a big believer in having a fast teammate who pushes you forward and makes you try harder and prepare better.

“If your teammate is faster than you, then you have to improve,” Brown said.

The challenging nature of Surfers Paradise’s rough street circuit always provides entertainment and this year will be no different. To spice up the weekend, hop curbs and chicane cuts will be accompanied by new penalties yet to be determined.

For many drivers, and Brown is one of them, it is a favorite stop on the racing calendar, as the layout does not allow for mistakes, punishing incorrect driving but rewarding those who push the limits of the track and the machine.

“I love the Gold Coast and it’s my second favorite after Bathurst. I love the joint and the racing is so good and the atmosphere is great.

“The track is so cool and to get into the top five here you have to tap the wall a few times. It’s just an exciting place to race and I enjoy it immensely.

“On a lot of tracks you make a little mistake and run through the grass and keep going. Here it is a little more dramatic and adds to the excitement,” he said.

The best of the Kiwis in the championship is Matthew Payne, sixth (1659) with Andre Heimgartner, 12th (1422); Ryan Wood, 16th (1285); Richie Stanaway, 17th (1267) and Jaxon Evans, 23rd (913).

Formula 1 – Mexico is very different from Austin

Liam Lawson is back in action in round 20 of the Formula 1 Championship. The Kiwi made headlines last weekend during the American Grand Prix. He rose from 19th place on the grid to finish ninth and took two World Championship points.

This weekend’s race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico will be a bit of a challenge for the 22-year-old, who will be keen to build on his opening move in the 2024 F1 Championship to reiterate his place among the single-seater elite . racing.

Another good result could land him a full-time gig in 2025.

“Mexico is very different from Austin; a different style of circuits, where the main difference is about the height, which means we apply high downforce to the car. The speeds we are achieving are among the fastest of the season,” said Lawson.

“The grip is quite low, so the cars slide around quite a bit, making it difficult to control the tyres.

“For me, I’ve only been there once before to do a free practice in 2022, so it will be similar to Austin, having to learn everything all over again, but with the luxury of three instead of just one. I’m looking forward to getting back into it and I’m looking forward to getting back in the car.”

– Eric Thompson is a former international motorcycle racer and racing mechanic and has written for Motorcycling Weekly, Motorcycle International and Classic Bike in the UK. He also covers sedan car racing and karting and has reported on motorsport for the Herald since 2006, particularly New Zealanders racing at home and abroad.