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Dunlop Super 3 Series field confirmed for Bathurst 500
A 13-strong field will tackle the opening round of the 2021 Dunlop Super3 Series this weekend at the Repco Mount Panorama 500.
The series’ 14th season – for what has evolved from V8 Touring Cars into a more official third tier of Supercars racing in Australia – will see Super3 competitors sharing a grid with the Dunlop Super2 Series this year.
The format was trialled successfully for two rounds amidst a Covid-19 interrupted year in 2020, though no official Super3 series title was awarded.
That makes this weekend’s event officially the series’ first championship round at the iconic Bathurst circuit.
While sharing the grid and operating under the same set of sporting regulations as the Dunlop Super2 Series, Super3 competitors will continue to be recognised for their efforts separately – both Championship and ‘Super3 Cup’ (for privateer runners) to be awarded in 2021.
The Mount Panorama field includes several returning faces with long histories in the class.
The Championship class fight is set to be decided between the experienced Jon McCorkindale, who fronts for his sixth year in the category aboard his Dial Before You Dig Ford FG Falcon.
He’ll be challenged by second-generation driver Nash Morris, who makes his debut in top-level Touring Car racing this year driving the same car Broc Feeney utilized to win the 2019 Super3 Series title – the last full season contested.
Former karter and Formula Vee graduate Reef McCarthy makes the leap up to Super3 competition this year with Image Racing, while Blake Fardell also steps up to the outright class in his VE Commodore.
The Super3 Cup is filled with a host of long-term Super3 series contenders and this year welcomes back former class champion, Michael Anderson.
The Bathurst-based driver has in recent years focused on the expansion of his team, Anderson Motorsport, however returns to the driver’s seat at his home circuit this weekend.
He’ll likely battle three-time Super3 Cup champion Jim Pollicina, who returns for another crack aboard his ex-Tasman Motorsport VE Commodore.
Matt Stone Racing co-owner and driver Jason Gomersall returns, making the Queensland-based team the only team to feature in all three tiers of Supercars racing this year.
Tasmanian Ray Hislop, a former Supercars privateer with Bathurst 1000 starts to his credit, will make his Super3 series debut this weekend.
The combined Dunlop Super2 and Super3 series grid will feature 28 cars this weekend and will tackle a pair of 100km races; one each on Saturday and Sunday.
TV coverage on the screens of Seven and Fox Sports 506 with a full broadcast schedule to be released this week.
QUOTES:
Liam Curkpatrick, Dunlop Super3 Series Category Manager
“We’re really excited to be launching the 2021 Dunlop Super3 Series at Mount Panorama this weekend with a strong, competitive field,” said Curkpatrick.
“After a really challenging twelve months that only allowed for some of our competitors to race last year, we’re pleased with the response to the new-look series this year.
“There are a lot of familiar faces returning and several new names making their debut.
“Had it not been for a few late withdrawals, which is to be expected in these times, the field would have been even bigger. We’re confident it’s going to grow as the season evolves.”
ENTRY LIST – Round 1
| Car # | CLASS | SPONSOR | DRIVER | STATE | VEHICLE | MODEL | CC | COLOUR |
| 2 | Super3 Cup | Page Bros Jayco | Steven Page | VIC | Commodore | VE II | 5000 | Black |
| 4 | Super3 Cup | Crusher Parts International | Tony Auddino | VIC | Ford Falcon | BF | 5000 | White/Blue |
| 5 | Super3 Cup | Anderson Motorsport | Michael Anderson | NSW | Ford Falcon | FG | 5000 | Red |
| 7 | Super3 Cup | Mocomm Motorsports Communications | Jim Pollicina | NSW | Commodore | VE | 5000 | Red |
| 17 | Super3 Cup | Resurrection Panel N Paint | Jason Foley | ACT | Ford Falcon | BF | 5000 | Black/White |
| 23 | Super3 Cup | R.H.M | Ray Hislop | TAS | Ford Falcon | BA | 5000 | TBC |
| 35 | Super3 Cup | Unit Racing | Jason Gomersall | QLD | Ford Falcon | FG | 5000 | Silver/Grey |
| 61 | Championship | Image Racing | Reef McCarthy | VIC | Ford Falcon | FG | 5000 | TBA |
| 67 | Championship | Flash Bush Motorsport | Nash Morris | QLD | Ford Falcon | FG | 5000 | Whi/Green/Blk |
| 69 | Championship | Dial Before You Dig Racing | Jon McCorkindale | NSW | Ford Falcon | FG | 5000 | Green |
| 75 | Super3 Cup | Linc Scaffolding | Brendan Strong | QLD | Commodore | VE | 5000 | Black |
| 77 | Championship | Mr HDT Race Cars | Blake Fardell | NSW | Commodore | VE | 5000 | TBC |
| 96 | Super3 Cup | Collins Racing | Gary Collins | VIC | Commodore | VE II | 5000 | Black |