V8SC – Scott McLaughlin makes Volvo shine

As in F1 with the double points rule for the last Abu Dhabi Grand Prix next November, the last round of the V8 Supercars offered its winner double the points normally awarded (150 for 75). The opportunity for the drivers to try to pick up Shane Van Gisbergen (Holden – Tekno Autosports) who had so far achieved a flawless performance in Melbourne with three victories in the first three rounds. (See here et here)

If the latter started from pole, this time he had to quickly bow to the attacks of Fabian Coulthard and Scott McLaughlin. The driver of the Volvo subsequently retained the advantage against the Holden of Norton Hornets, but had to face the return of the Holden of Red Bull Australia's Craig Lowndes, following the deployment of the Safety Car mid-race following Todd Kelly's Nissan stopping on track. Jamie Whincup's teammate will try everything to try to pass the Polestar Racing S60 after the neutralization but will have to lose. McLaughlin gave Volvo its first victory this season and took the final victory in Melbourne with a 10-point lead over Lowndes, 2nd in this fourth round. Shane Van Gisbergen is the big loser of this fourth race, since with his 14th place, he only finishes 5th overall for the weekend.

Michael Caruso (Nissan – Norton Hornets), poleman of the first race, concluded his weekend with a podium ahead of Garth Tander (Holden – Holden Racing Team) who fell three thousandths behind Caruso on the line. Followed by Coulthard, Will Davison (Mercedes – Erebus), Mark Winterbottom (Ford – Pepsi Max Crew), James Courtney (Holden – Holden Racing Team), Tim Slade (Holden – Supercheap Auto Racing) and Lee Holdsworth (Mercedes – Erebus).

Jamie Whincup, outgoing champion, continues his complicated start to the year with a retirement in this last race in his Red Bull Racing Australia Holden Commodore, following a collision with Rick Kelly's Nisasn. His teammate Craig Lowndes leads the general classification before the next race of the Tyrepower Tasmania 400 (March 28-30)