‘Proud’ South Aussie Pye excited for Adelaide comeback

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: November 24, 2022

Scott Pye will be one of the four South Australians on the grid pumped for the return of the VALO Adelaide 500 next weekend.

Pye and his Team18 crew will be celebrating the return to the Adelaide streets in style by hosting an Open Day at its Melbourne base this Sunday and reveal a new look for the season finale.

The popular street has not been seen since February 2020 and it is a track that holds special memories for the #20 driver.

Pye made his full-time debut at the street circuit in 2013 for Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport and scored a breakthrough pole position there three years later for DJR Team Penske.

Scott Pye scored pole position for DJR Team Penske in 2016 on the streets of Adelaide. Image: Daniel Kalisz/LAT Photographic

Two DNFs in the last two trips for incidents at Turns 7 and 9 have not dampened the Team 18 driver’s spirits ahead of the big race.

Pye said he is anticipating a huge show of support from his fellow South Australians.

“Heading back to the Adelaide 500 for the final round is going to be really special,” he said.

“The fans have made the return of the ‘500 possible and as a proud South Aussie it’s going to be incredible to get back to racing on the streets of our capital city.

“Hopefully we can farewell The Red Lion on a high.”

Scott Pye started the season in Sydney with an all black Seiko livery. Image: Mark Horsburgh

Pye returns to Adelaide sitting 15th in the points and hopes to at least equal his finishing position last year after a bruising season which has included two DNS’s.

Team18 will be turning to another new look as inspiration for a strong finish to 2022.

The #20 Holden ZB Commodore has already been seen in four different liveries this season with predominantly black looks supported by Seiko, Hino, Nulon and Alspec.

A fifth and final look will be revealed for the Adelaide 500 at the team’s Open Day, which will also include meet and greet sessions with Pye and Mark Winterbottom, a display of the current and Gen3 cars, plus James Courtney’s 2010 championship winner.

The recent Gold Coast event will be last time Scott Pye races with the Alspec green and black look. Image: Mark Horsburgh

Pye said it will be a fun way to take the covers off his new-look race car.

“I’m looking forward to unveiling my colours for the final round in Adelaide in front of the fans here at the Team 18 Open Day on Sunday,” he said.

“We’ve never opened the place up to the public like this, so it’s going to be a great day to check out what goes on behind the scenes at the race team.”

The Open Day will take place at 3/21 Lionel Road, Mount Waverley from 11am to 2pm this Sunday.

For more of the latest motorsport news pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION.

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‘Proud’ South Aussie Pye excited for Adelaide comeback

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