Supercars - Ipswich Super 440

The Ipswich Super 440 returns to Queensland Raceway for the 2026 Supercars Championship season. This event serves as the Repco Sprint Cup finale and determines the first Top 10 Finalists for the championship. Queensland Raceway, located in Willowbank approximately 50 kilometers west of Brisbane, provides the venue for this important v8supercars competition. The circuit earned its nickname "The Paperclip" due to its distinctive shape and layout.

Circuit Information

Queensland Raceway features a 3.126-kilometer National Circuit configuration with six turns that run in a clockwise direction. The track maintains an FIA Grade 3 rating and offers a mostly flat layout with good spectator viewing opportunities. The circuit width measures 12 meters across, and a slight incline appears on the back straight. Spectators benefit from the flat design and viewing mounds positioned around the track.

The facility opened in 1999 and forms part of the Ipswich Motorsport Precinct. This precinct includes additional motorsport facilities such as Willowbank Raceway drag strip and a karting circuit. The venue has received various upgrades over the years, including improved pit facilities and spectator amenities.

Event Format and Racing

The Ipswich Super 440 takes place across a three-day weekend. The schedule includes practice sessions, qualifying rounds, and multiple races. Saturday features a three-stage knockout qualifying session that sets the grid for a 120-kilometer sprint race spanning 39 laps. Sunday repeats the qualifying format before competitors tackle a longer 200-kilometer race over 63 laps.

Support categories often join the v8supercars on track. These may include the Dunlop Super2 Series, Australian Superbike Championship, Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia, and Toyota GAZOO Racing Australia GR Cup. This multi-category approach provides fans with diverse racing action throughout the weekend.

Technical Specifications

The 2026 season continues under the Gen3 regulations, now in their fourth year. Three manufacturers compete in the championship: Ford with the Mustang GT, Chevrolet with the Camaro ZL1, and Toyota making its debut with the GR Supra. Each car produces approximately 600 horsepower from their V8 engines while maintaining technical parity to ensure fair competition.

Ford Mustangs use a Coyote 5.4-liter V8 with quad camshafts built by Herrod Performance Engines. Chevrolet Camaras feature a 5.7-liter V8 with single camshaft configuration from KRE Race Engines. Toyota's new GR Supra runs a 5.2-liter DOHC V8. All cars weigh 1,335 kilograms and carry 135-liter fuel tanks. Top speeds reach 300 kilometers per hour, with engines limited to 7,500 rpm.

Manufacturer Homologation

Triple Eight Race Engineering homologates the Ford Mustang for competition. Dick Johnson Racing handles homologation duties for the Chevrolet Camaro. Walkinshaw Andretti United takes responsibility for homologating the new Toyota GR Supra as the manufacturer enters the championship.

Teams and Drivers

The 2026 grid features significant changes. Triple Eight Race Engineering expands to three cars and switches from Chevrolet to Ford Mustangs. Walkinshaw Andretti United and Brad Jones Racing both adopt the new Toyota GR Supra. Dick Johnson Racing welcomes Rylan Gray, while Jobe Stewart joins Erebus Motorsport. PremiAir Racing fields Jayden Ojeda and Declan Fraser, and James Golding moves to Blanchard Racing Team.

Several rookies join the championship grid, bringing fresh talent to the series. The mix of experienced drivers and newcomers creates an interesting dynamic for the competition.

Event History

Queensland Raceway has hosted Supercars Championship events since 1999, taking over from Lakeside Raceway as the Queensland home for the series. The venue ran championship rounds from 1999 through 2019 before a break from the calendar. The event's return brings back racing to a circuit with strong connections to Australian motorsport history.

The inaugural event in 1999 saw Garth Tander claim victory in the overall classification. Craig Lowndes holds the record for most event wins at Queensland Raceway with seven victories. The circuit also hosted the Queensland 500 endurance race from 1999 to 2002, which served as a lead-up event before the Bathurst 1000.

What Makes This Event Special

The Ipswich Super 440 plays a crucial role in the championship structure as the Sprint Cup finale. Results from this race directly impact which drivers advance to the Top 10 Finalists. This added significance raises the stakes for teams and drivers competing at Queensland Raceway.

The circuit's compact layout and six-turn configuration produces close racing. Lap times sit around the 1-minute-8-second mark for v8supercars, creating fast-paced action. The flat terrain allows fans to see multiple sections of the track from various viewing areas.

Toyota's entry into the championship adds another storyline for this season. Fans will see the GR Supra compete against the established Ford and Chevrolet entries. This three-manufacturer battle provides new competition dynamics throughout the season, including at Queensland Raceway.

The Ipswich Super 440 offers fans comprehensive v8supercars racing with championship implications. The combination of sprint race formats, knockout qualifying sessions, and the venue's history creates an appealing motorsport experience. Queensland Raceway's accessibility from Brisbane and its spectator-friendly layout make this event a significant entry on the championship calendar.