Supercars - Sandown 500

The Sandown 500 returns to Sandown International Raceway in Melbourne, Victoria, as a key fixture in the Supercars Championship calendar. This 500-kilometer endurance race brings together Australia's premier v8supercars competitors at one of the country's most accessible racing venues, located approximately 25 kilometers south-east of Melbourne's city center in Springvale.

Circuit Characteristics

Sandown International Raceway features a 3.1-kilometer track with 13 turns. The circuit earned its reputation as a power circuit through its long straights - the front straight measures 899 meters while the back straight extends 910 meters. Drivers navigate a fast esses section at the end of the back straight before entering Dandenong Road Corner. The circuit sits on the Princes Highway and offers direct railway access through its own station on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines.

Race Format

The Penrite Oil Sandown 500 follows a competitive weekend structure. Two shorter races run on Saturday to determine the grid positions for Sunday's main 500-kilometer race. This semi-final format creates pressure on every lap as drivers battle for their championship standings.

Teams and Drivers

The 2026 Sandown 500 features significant changes across the v8supercars grid. Triple Eight Race Engineering returns to Ford and will run Mustangs with drivers Will Brown, Broc Feeney, and Jackson Walls in a new three-car operation. Walkinshaw Andretti United switches to Toyota GR Supras with Chaz Mostert and Ryan Wood behind the wheel.

Brad Jones Racing also moves to Toyota GR Supras, fielding Andre Heigmartner, Cam Hill, and Macauley Jones. Dick Johnson Racing runs Ford Mustangs with Brodie Kostecki and Rylan Gray. Grove Racing pairs Matt Payne and Kai Allen in Ford machinery, while Tickford Racing features Cam Waters and Thomas Randle.

Team 18 operates General Motors entries for Anton De Pasquale and David Reynolds. Matt Stone Racing welcomes back Jack Le Brocq alongside Zach Bates in GM cars. Erebus Motorsport promotes Super2 graduate Jobe Stewart to partner Cooper Murray in their GM program. PremiAir Racing adds Jayden Ojeda and Declan Fraser to their GM lineup, while Blanchard Racing Team fields James Golding and Aaron Cameron in Fords.

Technical Specifications

The Supercars Championship showcases front-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive race cars. Ford Mustangs utilize 5.4-liter V8 engines, Chevrolet Camaros run 5.7-liter V8s, and the new Toyota GR Supras enter the series. These V8 engines produce between 460 and 485 kilowatts of power with an electronic rev limit of 7,500 rpm.

Each car weighs a minimum of 1,335 kilograms without the driver. Teams select between steel and carbon brake discs based on their strategy. Aerodynamic packages include spoilers, wings, front splitters, air dams, and side skirts to maximize performance around Sandown's layout.

Event Heritage

The Sandown 500 began in November 1964 as a six-hour production car race. The event evolved to its current 500-kilometer format in 1984. The race has run 51 times since its inception and has operated under 14 different names. Peter Brock holds the record for most wins at the Sandown enduro with nine victories.

The circuit itself opened in 1962 and was built around a horse racing track. After periods at Queensland Raceway and Phillip Island, the race returned to Sandown in 2012. The venue combines rich racing history with modern accessibility.

What Makes This Race Special

The Sandown 500 serves as a semi-final round in the Repco Supercars Championship finals series. The endurance race format tests driver partnerships and team strategies over 500 kilometers. The circuit's long straights favor powerful v8supercars while the technical sections demand precision. Melbourne's proximity allows strong spectator attendance, and the venue's train station access makes it one of Australia's most accessible racing facilities.

The 2026 edition marks the first year Toyota GR Supras compete at Sandown, adding a new manufacturer dynamic to the established Ford versus General Motors competition. Multiple driver changes and team restructures create fresh storylines across the grid.

Spectator Information

Sandown provides viewing opportunities around its 3.1-kilometer circuit. Kids aged 12 and under attend free with a paying adult. Paddock Passes offer behind-the-scenes access to teams and cars. The circuit's location in Springvale makes it easy to reach from Melbourne's city center by car or public transport.

The Sandown 500 combines endurance racing with championship implications, creating a compelling weekend of v8supercars competition at a facility steeped in Australian motorsport history.