infonowcast

Super Formula Fuji Race Two Cancelled Due to Heavy Fog

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.

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.

In an exhilarating turn of events at Mount Panorama, Matt Payne and Garth Tander clinched a remarkable victory for Grove Racing and Ford in the 2025 Bathurst 1000. What began under clear conditions rapidly descended into a test of skill and endurance as adverse weather transformed the circuit into a treacherous arena. The race featured six safety car periods, culminating in a gripping three-car contest for the lead in rapidly fading light. A critical late-race entanglement saw James Golding's PremiAir Chevrolet Camaro make contact with Cooper Murray, leading to a penalty for Golding and elevating Payne into the top position. Despite the challenges, Payne maintained his composure, steering his Ford to a memorable win, marking Tander's sixth Bathurst title and his inaugural triumph with the Ford team.

This year's Bathurst 1000 proved to be a saga of resilience and unexpected twists, where the elements played a decisive role in shaping the outcome. The initial stages saw competitors enjoying prime racing conditions, but as the weather deteriorated, the 6.213km track became increasingly difficult to navigate. The numerous safety car deployments underscored the perilous conditions, forcing teams to adapt their strategies on the fly. The final laps were particularly intense, with a close-fought battle among the front-runners. The incident involving Murray and Golding, which ultimately saw Payne inherit the lead, highlighted the fine margins and high stakes inherent in endurance racing. This victory not only celebrated the strategic prowess of Grove Racing but also etched Payne and Tander's names into the annals of Bathurst history, showcasing their ability to perform under immense pressure.

A Thrilling Victory Amidst Challenging Conditions

The 2025 Bathurst 1000 delivered an unforgettable spectacle of motorsport, with Matt Payne and Garth Tander of Grove Racing securing a hard-fought victory for Ford. The race began benignly under clear skies, but a dramatic shift in weather conditions quickly transformed Mount Panorama into a challenging environment. Torrential rain turned the track into a slippery surface, leading to six safety car interventions that constantly reshaped the race dynamics. In the climactic final laps, a three-car battle emerged, with drivers pushing their limits in near-darkness. A pivotal moment occurred when James Golding's car made contact with Cooper Murray, penalizing Golding and propelling Payne into the lead. Payne expertly navigated the remaining laps on worn tires, demonstrating remarkable control to secure the win. Tander, celebrating his sixth Bathurst triumph, expressed immense admiration for Payne's performance, particularly his handling of the deteriorating conditions and the strategic challenges posed by the race's late stages.

The race was a true test of adaptability and nerve, as teams and drivers grappled with the unpredictable nature of the weather. Early contenders, such as Ryan Wood and Broc Feeney, faced significant setbacks due to the changing conditions and mechanical failures. Feeney, who was in contention for the lead, crashed at Forrest's Elbow after changing to wet tires, illustrating the fine line between triumph and disaster. Similarly, Walkinshaw Andretti United's Fords encountered various issues, including engine problems for Chaz Mostert and a crankshaft sensor failure for the promising Wood/Ojeda Mustang while running in second. Even the pole-sitting Kostecki/Hazelwood Ford suffered multiple misfortunes, including a clutch problem, electrical issues, and a pitlane penalty, ultimately finishing 18th. These incidents underscore the demanding nature of the Bathurst 1000, where a combination of skill, strategy, and a bit of luck are essential for success. The upcoming Supercars Finals series on the Gold Coast promises more high-stakes racing.

Unforeseen Twists and Turns: The Race's Defining Moments

The 2025 Bathurst 1000 was defined by a series of unexpected twists and turns, largely orchestrated by the volatile weather. The 6.213km circuit, initially bathed in sunshine, rapidly became an icy challenge as rain swept across Mount Panorama. This drastic change necessitated six safety car periods, fragmenting race strategies and creating an unpredictable environment where fortunes shifted with every lap. The race's dramatic conclusion saw a thrilling confrontation between three cars. With just five laps remaining, Cooper Murray, who had been a strong contender, was spun by James Golding, opening the door for Matt Payne to seize the lead. Golding received a five-second penalty for the contact, which, despite a late charge where he regained track position, cost him the victory. Veteran David Reynolds, alongside co-driver Lee Holdsworth, staged an impressive comeback from outside the top 10 to secure second place, benefiting from the chaos, though rueing what might have been had the weather not intervened.

Beyond the podium finishers, the race was a narrative of missed opportunities and valiant efforts. Broc Feeney of Triple Eight, a strong contender, saw his hopes dashed with a crash at Forrest's Elbow on new wet tires, relegating his team to a sixth-place finish after a difficult recovery. Will Brown, who had made significant progress from a distant starting position, also fell victim to multiple off-track excursions, losing his competitive edge. Walkinshaw Andretti United's Fords experienced particularly brutal luck; Chaz Mostert's race ended prematurely due to an engine issue, while the pairing of Ryan Wood and Jayden Ojeda, appearing poised for victory, suffered a critical crankshaft sensor failure with only 20 laps remaining. Even the pole-sitters, Kostecki and Hazelwood, endured a series of misfortunes including mechanical failures and penalties, ultimately finishing well down the order. The race served as a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of Bathurst, where even the most dominant teams can be undone by circumstances beyond their control. The season now looks ahead to the Gold Coast for the inaugural Finals series on October 24-25.

Electric Cars

Cars

Car Show

Car Maintenance

Racing

Super Formula Fuji Race Two Cancelled Due to Heavy Fog

Super Formula Fuji Race Two Cancelled Due to Heavy Fog

NASCAR Stars Engage in Lively Debate Over Driver Ratings for Upcoming Video Game

Pirelli to Address C6 Tyre Criticisms for 2026 F1 Season

Petronas CEO Apologizes for Singapore GP Podium Champagne Celebration

Payne and Tander Conquer Dramatic Bathurst 1000 Race

A Grueling Test of Skill and Strategy at Mount Panorama

The Unforgiving Nature of Bathurst and Teams' Fortunes

F1 Academy Driver Aiva Anagnostiadis's Recovery Update After Foot Fracture

Pirelli to Address C6 Tyre Concerns Following Verstappen's Criticism

F1 Unveils Lewis Hamilton Las Vegas GP Experience Package

Payne and Tander Conquer Bathurst 1000 in Dramatic Ford Victory

A Thrilling Victory Amidst Challenging Conditions

Unforeseen Twists and Turns: The Race's Defining Moments