The Top 13 Greatest Moments in Supercars Australia

The Supercars Australia series has established itself as one of the world's most stunning racing championships by providing motorsport enthusiasts with a plethora of thrilling experiences over the years. Everything has happened throughout the series, from fierce rivalry to incredible comebacks. In this blog, we'll discuss some of the top 13 greatest moments that have influenced the Supercars Championship's past.

A heated altercation between Marcos Ambrose and Greg Murphy characterised the 2005 Bathurst 1000. The two drivers crashed at turn 3 as the race neared its conclusion, sparking a heated argument and the now-famous "Ambrose vs. Murphy" incident. This event will always be remembered as a turning point in Bathurst history, illustrating the extreme rivalry of the competition and the enormous stakes involved in the Great Race.

Russell Ingall and Mark Skaife's long-running animosity erupted at Eastern Creek in 2003, sparking one of the most famous rivalries in Supercars Australia history. One of the most talked-about occurrences in the season occurred when the two drivers, who were fighting for the championship, got into a tussle on the exit of turn 4 and resulted in Skaife being rotated off track. Ingall was fined $15,000 for causing the spin of Skaife and the swerve towards him on the following lap. The confrontation underlined the two's fierce competitiveness as well as the unrestrained nature of the Supercars Championship.

One of the sport's most exciting endings ever occurred at the 2017 Supercars Championship season finale in Newcastle. Leading the championship, Scott McLaughlin squared up against the great Craig Lowndes. In a thrilling finish, McLaughlin committed three penalties that finally cost him the championship, giving Jamie Whincup the victory. This race's drama and the spectators' intense emotional rollercoaster made it a memorable event in Supercars Australia history.

Remaining as one of the most memorable events in Supercars history is Greg Murphy's "Lap of the Gods" during the 2003 Bathurst 1000. Murphy astonished his rivals and the spectators by setting an amazing lap record of 2:06.8594 over Mount Panorama during the Top 10 Shootout. This lap, which highlights Murphy's talent and the pure excitement of racing at Bathurst, is still hailed as one of the best individual efforts in the sport's history.

An incredible race between Jamie Whincup and Scott McLaughlin occurred at the 2014 Adelaide 500. Despite Mclaughlin's constant pressure, Whincup, driving a Holden Commodore, held off McLaughlin until the very last corner where his car lost stability and under-steered him towards the outer grass, allowing McLaughlin past and giving him second place. Fans hold distinct memories of McLaughlin's podium-winning moment as he crossed the finish line, particularly his tearful post-race interview in which he famously yelled, "I just plucked it in first, gave it some jandal and f*** yeah!"

Another event that will never be forgotten was the 2010 Gold Coast 600, which saw a thrilling battle between Jamie Whincup and Shane van Gisbergen. Driving for Triple Eight Race Engineering, Whincup kept Van Gisbergen at bay with a masterclass in cautious driving. This battle cemented Van Gisbergen as a new star in the series after attacking the 3 time championship winner at the time.

By becoming the first driver to surpass the 2:04 mark at Mount Panorama in 2019 and setting a fast lap record of 2:03.831 during the Top 10 Shootout at Bathurst, Scott McLaughlin cemented his place in history. This remarkable lap, which demonstrated McLaughlin's outstanding skill and the improvements in car performance, set a new record at the legendary circuit. In addition to giving McLaughlin pole position, the lap caused a stir among the Supercars Australia fraternity, as both drivers and fans were in awe of the new benchmark set by the defending champion. This is regarded as one of the best qualifying laps in Bathurst history, and it solidifies McLaughlin's reputation in the industry.

The 2013 Supercars Championship at Pukekohe Park Raceway featured a dramatic clash between Jamie Whincup and Mark Winterbottom. Whincup was leading the race and appeared to be in control, but in the closing stages, Winterbottom attempted an aggressive move to take the lead. The move backfired as Winterbottom made contact with Whincup, causing his own car to spin out. Whincup managed to hold onto his position, while Winterbottom’s race took a turn for the worse. This incident became a defining moment of the race, illustrating the fine line between ambition and disaster in the heat of competition.

The 2014 Phillip Island race starring Garth Tander was a dramatic and heartbreaking event. Tander was leading the race and headed for an important victory when a fuel calculation error forced him to go into fuel saving mode for the final few kilometres. This eventually meant Gather Tander ran out of fuel on the final corner and gave Scott McLaughlin the win, leaving Tander and his group to ponder what may have been. This incident serves as a reminder that in Supercars Championship, even the smallest errors can have serious repercussions and change the course of a race entirely.

One of the most thrilling finishes in the race's history occurred in the 2014 Bathurst 1000, when Jamie Whincup ran out of petrol on the very last lap, giving an incredible victory to Chaz Mostert. Although Whincup's crew encouraged him to save petrol, it was too late; Whincup had been leading the race. Starting from the rear of the grid, Mostert took advantage of the situation and passed Whincup in the final seconds to win his maiden Bathurst 1000. This event is renowned for its amazing curves and twists that highlight Mount Panorama's unpredictable nature.

There was a scary incident with Fabian Coulthard at the Chase during the 2010 Bathurst 1000. At one of the quickest parts of the course, Coulthard lost control of his car, and it flipped many times, ending the race. Coulthard somehow escaped the wreckage unharmed, but the incident served as a sobering reminder of the risks associated with motorsport. Fans and drivers alike will never forget this spectacular incident, which highlights the guts and tenacity needed to compete in the Supercars.

David Besnard’s 2011 Bathurst 1000 campaign ended in dramatic fashion at Turn 2 of Mount Panorama. After making contact with the wall, Besnard’s car began leaking fuel, which soon ignited into a massive fireball. The sight of his car engulfed in flames is one of the most harrowing moments in Bathurst history. Fortunately, Besnard was able to escape the inferno unharmed, but the incident served as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers in motorsport. This event underscored the critical importance of safety measures and the bravery of drivers who face such risks every time they get behind the wheel.

A large pile-up involving numerous vehicles occurred shortly after the green flag dropped in the 2011 Supercars race at Wanneroo Raceway, previous known as Barbagallo Raceway. This event is noted for its hectic start. One of the wildest and most dramatic starts in Supercar history occurred when multiple vehicles made contact with each other as the field blasted into the first curve. Numerous vehicles suffered serious damage as a result of the event, and several drivers were forced to withdraw from the race early. This incident brought to light the sport's unpredictability and the extremely narrow margins that separate success from failure on the track.

There has always been drama, excitement, and memorable moments in the Supercar competition. These races have had a lasting impact on the sport, from fierce rivalry to incredible individual feats. Looking back on these memorable events, it's evident that the unpredictable nature, intense rivalry, and fervour of both drivers and spectators are what define Supercar racing.