Electric Cars

The second Super Formula race at Fuji Speedway on Sunday was unfortunately called off due to heavy fog, significantly impacting the event. This cancellation follows a previous race on Saturday that was cut short because of persistent rain, creating a challenging weekend for participants and organizers alike. The dense fog severely reduced visibility, making it impossible for the race to proceed safely.

The decision to abandon the tenth round of the season was made around 3:35 PM local time. Conditions at the Toyota-owned venue deteriorated rapidly just before the reconnaissance laps were scheduled to begin, leaving officials with no choice but to cancel. This weather-related disruption has brought attention to the logistical challenges of motorsport events and their reliance on favorable conditions.

JRP President Yoshihisa Ueno addressed the media following the cancellation, indicating that discussions are underway to explore the possibility of a replacement race. Potential venues for a rescheduled event include Fuji Speedway itself or Suzuka, which is already slated to host the final double-header on November 22-23. The ability to find an alternative date and location will be crucial for maintaining the integrity of the championship.

Despite the race cancellation, qualifying sessions for Sunday's event did take place earlier in the morning under mostly dry conditions, albeit with some damp patches. Tadasuke Makino of Dandelion Racing clinched his second pole position of the season, showcasing his skill even in tricky circumstances. He narrowly edged out Igor Fraga from Nakajima Racing by a mere 0.076 seconds. Makino's strong performance in practice on Friday had hinted at his potential.

Kakunoshin Ohta, driving the second Dandelion car, secured third place in qualifying, earning a bonus point that brings him level with Ayumu Iwasa in the championship standings. Ohta currently holds an advantage over Iwasa on countback, having secured three victories this season compared to Iwasa's single win. Championship leader Sho Tsuboi of TOM’S qualified seventh but still maintains a comfortable 14.5-point lead over Ohta and Iwasa.

Makino's three bonus points for pole position mean he now faces a 23.5-point deficit to Tsuboi in the championship race. Tomoki Nojiri of Mugen, who qualified fourth without securing any bonus points, remains the only other driver in mathematical contention for the championship if a replacement race is not held. Meanwhile, Saturday's race winner, Sacha Fenestraz of TOM’S, would have started from 18th place due to an incident in Q1, and Zak O’Sullivan faced an even more challenging start from last position after an issue with his Kondo Racing car prevented him from participating in Q1.

The Super Formula race at Fuji Speedway was called off due to dense fog, leading to discussions about a potential rescheduled event. This decision, made after an earlier race was shortened by rain, significantly impacts the championship, with Tadasuke Makino on pole and Sho Tsuboi maintaining a lead despite a challenging qualifying session for some key contenders.

In a thrilling spectacle that captivated racing enthusiasts, Matt Payne and Garth Tander clinched a remarkable victory for Grove Racing and Ford at the 2025 Bathurst 1000. This memorable race, held at Mount Panorama, was characterized by unpredictable weather and numerous safety car interventions, leading to a nail-biting conclusion where three cars fiercely contended for the top spot amidst diminishing light. The challenging conditions tested the mettle of every competitor, culminating in a dramatic finish that will be long remembered in Supercars history.

The event saw a rollercoaster of emotions, particularly for several leading teams and drivers who faced unexpected setbacks. Despite strong performances early on, many contenders encountered issues ranging from mechanical failures to on-track incidents, reshuffling the race order and highlighting the unforgiving nature of Mount Panorama. The unpredictable elements added an extra layer of complexity, transforming what began as a straightforward contest into a true test of endurance and strategic prowess.

A Grueling Test of Skill and Strategy at Mount Panorama

The 2025 Bathurst 1000 unfolded as an epic endurance challenge, where Matt Payne and Garth Tander's Ford Mustang GT emerged victorious for Grove Racing. The race, which commenced under clear skies, quickly transformed into a chaotic battle for survival as inclement weather descended upon the 6.213km circuit, rendering it treacherous. The fluctuating conditions necessitated six safety car periods, frequently neutralizing the field and forcing teams to adapt their strategies on the fly. As dusk settled, the race reached its crescendo with a three-car showdown, each driver pushing their vehicles to the limit on a slick track, their headlights cutting through the deepening gloom in a desperate bid for supremacy.

The pivotal moment arrived with just five laps remaining, when Cooper Murray of Erebus Motorsport seemed poised for a consecutive victory. However, a slight contact from James Golding's PremiAir Chevrolet Camaro at Turn 2 sent Murray into a half-spin, causing him to drop to fourth position. This incident inadvertently propelled Payne into the lead, a position he resolutely defended. Golding subsequently incurred a five-second penalty, which, despite momentarily reclaiming the lead on the final lap, solidified Payne's triumph. David Reynolds, a former winner, impressively navigated through the field to secure a podium finish, demonstrating his skill and resilience after his co-driver, Lee Holdsworth, was hampered by an ill-timed pit strategy amidst the changing weather.

The Unforgiving Nature of Bathurst and Teams' Fortunes

The Bathurst 1000 proved to be a race of contrasting fortunes, where the challenging conditions and intense competition exposed the vulnerabilities of even the most formidable teams. While Matt Payne and Garth Tander celebrated a hard-earned victory, marking Tander’s sixth career win and first with Ford, many others faced significant disappointment. The race began with high hopes for teams like Triple Eight and Walkinshaw Andretti United, but these aspirations were soon dashed by a series of unfortunate events and strategic missteps. The unpredictable nature of the Mount Panorama circuit, coupled with rapidly changing weather, ensured that every moment was fraught with peril, transforming potential triumphs into heartbreaking conclusions.

Triple Eight, a team often favored for victory, had to contend with a sixth and seventeenth-place finish after Broc Feeney, who was a strong contender, crashed into the tire wall at Forrest’s Elbow due to a lack of tire temperature on new wet tires. Despite a determined comeback effort by Feeney and co-driver Jamie Whincup, the damage sustained left them a lap down, effectively ending their hopes for a win. Similarly, Walkinshaw Andretti United’s Fords encountered severe mechanical problems; Chaz Mostert's car suffered an engine failure, while Ryan Wood and Jayden Ojeda's Mustang, which had been running second and appeared to be the car to beat, succumbed to a crankshaft sensor failure with only twenty laps remaining. The pole-sitting Kostecki/Hazelwood Ford also endured a catastrophic race, plagued by clutch issues, electrical problems requiring a driver change, and a pit lane drive-through penalty, ultimately finishing a distant eighteenth. Even front-row qualifier Cam Waters and his co-driver Mark Winterbottom struggled, falling a lap behind after being caught on slick tires when the rain unexpectedly began. These narratives underscore the brutal and unpredictable character of the Bathurst 1000, where a single misjudgment or mechanical glitch can dramatically alter a team's destiny.