Supercars - The Bend Enduro

The Bend Enduro brings v8supercars competition to The Bend Motorsport Park for an endurance racing challenge. This 500-kilometer race tests drivers and teams across demanding circuit conditions. The event forms part of the Ryco Enduro Cup alongside the Bathurst 1000, with the main-game driver who scores the most championship points across both endurance events earning automatic entry to The Finals series that will determine the 2026 Supercars champion.

Race Format and Competition

The Bend Enduro runs as the AirTouch 500, a 500-kilometer race covering approximately 100 laps of the circuit. The event takes place over three days with five practice sessions scheduled across Friday and Saturday. Saturday features qualifying followed by a Top 10 Shootout to determine grid positions. Sunday morning includes a final warm-up session before the main race begins in the afternoon.

Endurance racing at The Bend Motorsport Park requires teams to manage pit stops for refuelling and driver changes. Teams must balance speed with strategy as the cars complete the full race distance. The format rewards consistent performance and smart race management.

The Circuit

The Bend Motorsport Park sits in Tailem Bend, South Australia, approximately 100 kilometers south-east of Adelaide. The facility operates as Australia's only circuit that meets the latest FIA Grade 2 and FIM Category A standards. The venue offers eight different track configurations, with the 4.950-kilometer International Circuit used for v8supercars events.

The International Circuit features 18 turns across its 4.950-kilometer length. The track combines technical corners with fast-flowing sections, utilizing an 85-meter rise and fall across the layout. The GT Circuit configuration extends to 7.770 kilometers with 35 turns, making it the second-longest permanent race track in the world behind Germany's Nürburgring Nordschleife.

Facility Features

The complex includes multiple racing facilities beyond the main circuit. A drag racing strip, drift circuit, karting track, rally-cross course, and 4WD off-road park operate at the venue. The pit building houses a hotel, while a covered grandstand provides 750 seats. The Dragway accommodates over 20,000 spectators.

Planned infrastructure upgrades include Formula 1-style starting lights, Smart Marshalling technology, and new kerbing. These improvements will enhance the venue's capabilities for hosting major motorsport events. The facility received recognition as the 2019 International Motorsport Facility of the Year.

Participants and Technical Aspects

v8supercars teams and drivers compete at The Bend Enduro, with South Australian competitors like Nick Percat racing for Matt Stone Racing adding local interest. The 500-kilometer distance demands car durability and mechanical reliability. Teams must prepare their vehicles to withstand the extended racing period while maintaining competitive pace.

Driver combinations work together during the race, with each team managing their driver rotation strategy. The endurance format creates different challenges compared to sprint races, as teams balance driver stint lengths, fuel consumption, and tire management across the full race distance.

What Makes This Event Special

The Bend Motorsport Park opened in January 2018 and has hosted Supercars Championship events since that year. The venue holds a deal to host v8supercars events until at least 2028. The circuit's multiple configurations and world-class facilities establish it as a premier Australian motorsport destination.

The endurance race format at The Bend Motorsport Park creates strategic racing across the 500-kilometer distance. The International Circuit layout challenges drivers with varied corner types and elevation changes. The Bend Enduro represents a key opportunity for v8supercars teams to score crucial championship points before The Finals series determines the season champion.