Clipsal 500
Victoria Park
March 3-6, 2016

Drivers and fans push through the heat for V8 Supercars opener at the Clipsal 500 Adelaide

77,400 Clipsal 500 race goers braved the sweltering heat as they were treated to another entertaining day of on and off-track action, including the first V8 Supercars race of 2016.

Jamie Whincup started his campaign for a seventh V8 Supercars title in style when he held off a determined James Courtney to take out Race One of the Clipsal 500 Adelaide.

V8 Supercars CEO James Warburton said it was fantastic to kick off the 2016 V8 Supercars season in style at the Clipsal 500.

“It’s always great to start the championship in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd here in Adelaide. Our drivers showed what incredible athletes they are in extreme conditions and credit also to our fans who are the most passionate and loyal in Australian sport,” Warburton said.

HRT Enduro driver and Clipsal 500 Spokesperson Jack Perkins said the highly anticipated start to the season lived up to expectations.

“It was great to see the 2016 V8 Supercar Championship finally kick off at the Clipsal 500, and we saw Red Bull Racing Australia claim first and third with Jamie Whincup and Shane Van Gisbergen, proving they are going to be a formidable combination this year,” Perkins said.

“There was some action right throughout the race and the safety car gave some guys a good opportunity to fight back. To have Scotty McLaughlin in fourth and two Nissans inside the top ten is great result and I think it really sets up the year well.

“Really thrilled to see James finish second, but I know James is really focused on protecting his title and going for the three peat, so it’s going to be a really good race Sunday,” he said.