The Bend 500 Warm Up

The Bend 500 Warm Up v8supercars represents a critical 20-minute session that precedes the main endurance race at The Bend Motorsport Park. This warm-up session allows teams to make final adjustments before the 500-kilometer battle begins. The session takes place on Sunday morning and gives drivers their last opportunity to fine-tune their Supercars on the West Circuit configuration.

The AirTouch 500 at The Bend

The warm-up session forms part of the AirTouch 500 at The Bend, which opens the Ryco Enduro Cup for the season. This endurance race challenges two-driver teams across 500 kilometers of racing. The event runs across three days and features multiple practice sessions, qualifying, and the main race.

The 2026 edition marks a significant change in format. The race will use the 3.41-kilometer West Circuit instead of the longer International Circuit. This shorter layout creates 147 laps of racing and offers more opportunities for overtaking. The circuit change aims to improve the spectacle for fans and create diverse race strategies.

Shell V-Power Motorsport Park

The Bend Motorsport Park, officially known as Shell V-Power Motorsport Park, sits approximately 100 kilometers south-east of Adelaide in Tailem Bend, South Australia. The facility holds FIA Grade 2 and FIM Category A licensing, making it Australia's only circuit to meet these latest international standards.

Circuit Configurations

The venue offers eight different circuit layouts. The GT Circuit stretches 7.770 kilometers with 35 turns, ranking as the second-longest permanent race track globally after the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The West Circuit, which hosts the 2026 v8supercars endurance race, measures 3.410 kilometers and provides a compact, technical challenge for drivers.

Facilities

Beyond the race tracks, The Bend Motorsport Park includes a drag racing strip, drift circuit, karting circuit, rally-cross circuit, and driver training facilities. The venue also features a 4WD adventure park and rally facilities. The pit building incorporates the 100-room Rydges Pit Lane Hotel, where guests can watch racing from their rooms overlooking the circuit.

Competitors and Teams

The 2026 AirTouch 500 will feature 26 v8supercars entries competing in the endurance format. Team 18 will field Craig Lowndes and Bayley Hall as a wildcard entry for the race. Tickford Racing will also enter a wildcard pairing of Ben Gomersall and Campbell Logan.

Support categories at the event include the Porsche Equity-One Carrera Cup Australia, Trans Am Cup Series, Battery World Aussie Racing Cars, Touring Car Masters, and the Australian Prototype Series. These categories provide additional racing throughout the weekend.

Technical Regulations

The 2026 season operates under the Gen3 ruleset, now in its fourth year of competition. Toyota joined the championship for 2026 as a third manufacturer alongside Ford and Chevrolet, fielding the GR Supra model.

For Ryco Enduro Cup rounds, fuel capacity reduces to 121 liters from the 133 liters used in Sprint Cup rounds. This reduction adds strategic complexity to the endurance races. New health and welfare rules mandate both helmet air and cool suits for sessions when ambient temperatures exceed 32.9°C, with these systems delivering air and water below 25°C.

Racing at The Bend Motorsport Park

The Bend Motorsport Park opened on January 13, 2018, built on a former Mitsubishi Motors Australia test track. The Peregrine Corporation, South Australia's largest private company, developed the facility. The Supercars Championship first visited in 2018.

The venue received the 2019 International Motorsport Facility of the Year award. It stands as Australia's only facility that accommodates all motorsport disciplines through one entry point. Shell secured a 10-year naming rights deal in August 2023, leading to the current Shell V-Power Motorsport Park designation.

What Makes This Event Special

The 2026 edition will be the first time the 500-kilometer Supercars endurance race at The Bend Motorsport Park uses the West Circuit. This strategic choice delivers a different racing dynamic compared to previous years. The shorter lap increases the number of circuits completed and creates more chances for position changes.

The warm-up session before the main race gives fans insight into which teams have optimal race setups. Teams use this session to verify tire choices, brake performance, and fuel consumption calculations. The data gathered during The Bend 500 Warm Up v8supercars session often proves vital for race strategy decisions.

The endurance format requires precise coordination between co-drivers and flawless pit stops. Teams must balance speed with fuel efficiency and tire management across the 500 kilometers. The West Circuit configuration at The Bend Motorsport Park adds fresh variables that teams continue to analyze and master.