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Supercars and Top Fuel action to ignite Darwin Triple Crown

By Thomas Miles

Supercars has confirmed the schedule for its next stop on the 2023 calendar, the Darwin Triple Crown, which doubles up as the Indigenous Round.

The June 16-18 event at Hidden Valley Raceway will be the second successive year Supercars has staged an Indigenous Round after its successful debut last year.

For the first time all 25 cars rolled out with spectacular Indigenous themed and designed liveries and fans will be looking forward to seeing how these integrate on the new Gen3 Camaros and Mustangs.

Supercars headline the action at the “top end” with two practice sessions on Friday followed by the familiar SuperSprint format.

Saturday kicks off with the three-part qualifying format followed by the first of three 35-lap races in Darwin.

Sunday will start with a pair of back to back 15-minute blasts for pole before the weekend concludes with two more 35-lap races.

There will be plenty of support categories on show with Australian Superbikes, Porsche Carrera Cup Australia, Aussie Racing Cars and Combined Sedans also hitting the 2.9km circuit.

Phil Read hopes to retain his championship lead in the Top Fuel finale at Darwin.

The high-octane action will not stop once the sun sets as the Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship takes centre stage under the stars.

Some of the fastest drag racers on the planet will blast off in pursuit of glory in the season-ending Nitro Up North event.

The Top Fuel category features just one of the exciting title battles on offer with Damien Harris, Phil Read and Peter Xibberras all in the mix for the major crown.

It will be a historic round being the last before drag racing heads into a new era of the National Drag Racing Championship.

Proceedings fire up as early as Wednesday when the Night Transporter Convey marks Supercars arrival in Darwin.

Last year the Darwin Triple Crown produced some of the best racing all season with Anton De Pasquale, Chaz Mostert and Cameron Waters sharing the wins.

With the addition of Indigenous Round, Supercars CEO Shane Howard said the Darwin Triple Crown has grown to become one of the highlights of the season.

“Supercars is very proud to collaborate with the Northern Territory Government, Northern Territory Major Events Company, and Larrakia Nation in honouring Darwin for the 2023 Indigenous Round of the Repco Supercars Championship,” he said.

“Through Supercars Indigenous Round and valuable motorsport programs such as Racing Together, the aim is to familiarise Indigenous individuals with the event, our sport, and the teams, while actively engaging with the local community.

“This year also marks the first time we get to show off the Gen3 Chevrolet Camaros and Ford Mustangs on track in striking indigenous liveries to fans at Hidden Valley.

“The Darwin Triple Crown is one of the biggest events on the Supercars Championship calendar and we cannot wait to hit the track in June.”

2023 Darwin Triple Crown track schedule (all times ACST)

Friday, June 16

Time Category Session
0810-0825 Combined Sedans Practice
0845-0915 ASBK Free Practice 1
0935-0955 Aussie Racing Cars Practice
1005-1030 Porsche Carrera Cup Practice 1
1045-1115 Supercars Practice 1
1140-1155 Combined Sedans Qualifying
1215-1245 ASBK Free Practice 2
1305-1325 Aussie Racing Cars Qualifying
1335-1400 Aussie Racing Cars Practice 2
1410-1440 Supercars Practice 2
1455-1505 Combined Sedans Race 1
1525-1600 ASBK Free Practice 3

Saturday, June 17

Time Category Session
0750-0820 Supercars Course Car Rides
0825-0845 ASBK Qualifying 1
0850-0905 ASBK Qualifying 2
0925-0945 Aussie Racing Cars Race 1
0955-1007 Porsche Carrera Cup Qualifying 1
1013-1025 Porsche Carrera Cup Qualifying 2
1035-1045 Combined Sedans Race 2
1055-1115 Aussie Racing Cars Race 2
1130-1145 Supercars Q1 Race 13
1150-1205 Supercars Q2 Race 13
1210-1220 Supercars Q3 Race 13
1240-1320 ASBK Race 1
1340-1400 Aussie Racing Cars Race 3
1410-1435 Porsche Carrera Cup Race 1
1525 Supercars Race 13 (35 laps)

Sunday, June 18

Time Category Session
0735-0750 Supercars Course Car Rides
0755-0810 Combined Sedans Race 3
0830-0910 ASBK Race 2
0930-0945 Supercars Qualifying Race 14
0950-1005 Supercars Qualifying Race 15
1020-1045 Porsche Carrera Cup Race 2
1100-1120 Aussie Racing Cars Race 4
1150 Supercars Race 14 (35 laps)
1310-1350 ASBK Race 3
1410-1435 Porsche Carrera Cup Race 3
1525 Supercars Race 15 (35 laps)

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