The 500km endurance race at The Bend saw Toyota Walkinshaw TWG Racing dominate, capturing the win, second, and third positions on a 3.4km wet West Circuit.
Toyota Walkinshaw Stakes The Lead
Chaz Mostert, starting 11th, led the Toyota GR Supra to victory by 18.48 seconds, after a well‑timed rain‑shrouded charge that left rival teams scrambling.
Co‑driver Fabian Coulthard, known for wet‑weather prowess, slammed the Supra’s gearbox and tyre set‑up with a smooth final stint; Mostert praised Coulthard’s drive as “unbelievable”.
Ryan Wood paired Coulthard in a second Supra, and their performance earned the 1-3 sweep, the first time Walkinshaw has captured all top early podium spots in a Supercars endurance event.
Late Rally From Grove Racing Fuels Drama
Kai Allen’s Grove Racing Mustang took second when a late charge overhauls the Toyota pair, moving past Wood’s vice‑pilot Jaxson Evans, who had earlier pushed 80‑plus laps under heavy rain.
Slade, amid intermittent radio failure, managed a third‑place finish, padding the team’s points haul for the first time since the season opened at Adelaide.
Allen noted that the Mustang had gained an advantage once the safety car followed every lap, highlighting the benefit of his car’s superior handling in the slick circuit.
Challenges and Penalties Mar Other Teams
Triple Eight cars suffered late‑race setbacks: Will Brown incurred two infringements, receiving a 30‑second penalty for a pit‑lane breach and earlier contact; his counterpart Pye had to make a pit stop for a flat tyre after an early clash.
GC Racing’s Jayden Ojeda acquired a five‑second sanction for a collision with MAVBL’s Matt Payne/Will Davison duo, pushing him from fourth to sixth.
Permafrost‑weather bruises also hit the BRT Ford Mustang, where Richie Stanaway’s sudden rise to second on the road faded after a safety‑car incident and a possible breach of minimum lap count for a shortened race.
Points Table Shifted by the Bend Event
Despite the strongest performances, Nikised plays as the championship leader at 2275 points, currently ahead of Matt Payne and Kay Allen, with the loss of the title lead for Broc Feeney following his early spin.
The round’s outcome reshuffles the top‑five positions, pushing Toyota Walkinshaw into a leading challenge for Bathurst 1000 qualifying.
Impending Bathurst Showdown
All teams will regroup for the famed Bathurst 1000, scheduled for 8–11 October, as the season progression hinges on four‑hour‑plus endurance, weather, and tyre strategy.
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