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Supercars Perth preview: Can the Kiwis rise to the occasion in Western Australia?
Duncan Perkinson • June 6th, 2025 10:00 am
Brodie Kostecki | Photo: Photosport
The calendar has turned to June, winter is here and Supercars are heading west to Perth.
Like the Americans in the mid 1800’s who went west to California searching for gold, the Supercar drivers will be thinking similarly as they head towards the Indian Ocean.
Perth’s Wanneroo racetrack (Officially known as CARCO.com.au Raceway) is compact, with a typical lap lasting around 55 seconds.
The bends are sweeping and the surrounding sandtraps often catch out drivers, so the chances of an appearance by the safety car are high.
The hill before the final corner always brings excitement and there have been some hold-your-breath moments, as the cars speed over the brow of the hill.
The final corner has seen some interesting duels over the years as cars bounce over the bumps, heading towards the finish line.
This year there will be three races across the weekend with two 50 lap races on Saturday (4.55pm and 8.10pm NZT) followed by an 83-lap race on Sunday, which will be a two-stop fuel strategy race. The lights will go out and the engines will roar at 7.15pm.
Like the Americans in the mid 1800’s who went west to California searching for gold, the Supercar drivers will be thinking similarly as they head towards the Indian Ocean.
Perth’s Wanneroo racetrack (Officially known as CARCO.com.au Raceway) is compact, with a typical lap lasting around 55 seconds.
The bends are sweeping and the surrounding sandtraps often catch out drivers, so the chances of an appearance by the safety car are high.
The hill before the final corner always brings excitement and there have been some hold-your-breath moments, as the cars speed over the brow of the hill.
The final corner has seen some interesting duels over the years as cars bounce over the bumps, heading towards the finish line.
This year there will be three races across the weekend with two 50 lap races on Saturday (4.55pm and 8.10pm NZT) followed by an 83-lap race on Sunday, which will be a two-stop fuel strategy race. The lights will go out and the engines will roar at 7.15pm.
Chaz Mostert's masterful drive took him to victory in the second Taupo 440 race | Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP
WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR?
In 2024, Chaz Mostert dominated at Wanneroo in his Walkinshaw Andretti United Ford Mustang. He won Saturday’s race, and while he crossed the line first in Sunday’s race, he was demoted to second due to a pit-lane infringement.
Mostert’s teammate, young New Zealand speedster Ryan Wood was also quick last year, qualifying on the front row in the first race and claiming fourth place.
Cam Waters profited from Mostert’s pitlane penalty and won Sunday’s race after being third on Saturday.
The best of the Camaros was Will Brown for Triple Eight, who took two podiums. It was a weekend to forget for the current championship leader, Broc Feeney who finished 5th and 7th.
Mostert’s teammate, young New Zealand speedster Ryan Wood was also quick last year, qualifying on the front row in the first race and claiming fourth place.
Cam Waters profited from Mostert’s pitlane penalty and won Sunday’s race after being third on Saturday.
The best of the Camaros was Will Brown for Triple Eight, who took two podiums. It was a weekend to forget for the current championship leader, Broc Feeney who finished 5th and 7th.
HOW ARE THE CONTENDERS SHAPING UP THIS YEAR?
Chaz Mostert may have dominated events in Perth last year, but his form over the last two events has been inconsistent. He was well off the pace in Tasmania finishing 18th for the round.
Cam Waters started the season spectacularly, with three wins in the opening round at Sydney, but he has not won a race since then. Having re-signed with Tickford Racing this week for the 2026 and 2027 seasons, can he rediscover that early season form?
Ryan Wood was fast in Perth in 2024, has won Super 2 races in Perth prior to that, and has shown fast form over the last two rounds in Taupo and Tasmania. If he can keep a calm head, he could be one driver to watch.
Cam Waters started the season spectacularly, with three wins in the opening round at Sydney, but he has not won a race since then. Having re-signed with Tickford Racing this week for the 2026 and 2027 seasons, can he rediscover that early season form?
Ryan Wood was fast in Perth in 2024, has won Super 2 races in Perth prior to that, and has shown fast form over the last two rounds in Taupo and Tasmania. If he can keep a calm head, he could be one driver to watch.
Matt Payne after winning in Taupo this year | Photo: AAP
We can expect consistent results from Will Brown, but will he be far enough forward after qualifying?
His one-lap speed has left him needing to come through the field. His average qualifying position is 7th, but his average finishing position is 4th, showing he does come through the field.
One driver to watch will be Broc Feeney. His form out west last year was not as good as he would have hoped, but his results in Tasmania will have instilled massive confidence.
The other driver to keep an eye on is Brodie Kostecki. The DJR lead driver was well off the pace in the last round in Tasmania, but two years ago in Perth, he finished on the podium in all three races enroute to being crowned 2023 champion.
One driver to watch will be Broc Feeney. His form out west last year was not as good as he would have hoped, but his results in Tasmania will have instilled massive confidence.
The other driver to keep an eye on is Brodie Kostecki. The DJR lead driver was well off the pace in the last round in Tasmania, but two years ago in Perth, he finished on the podium in all three races enroute to being crowned 2023 champion.
Kostecki is also a Perth native, and the man they call 'Bush' is heading back to where his racing dreams began.
WHAT ABOUT THE KIWIS?
Can Matt Payne continue his upward trajectory after his spectacular win in the third race in Tasmania? Using strategy to his advantage by stopping early, he finished the race on almost bald tyres, beating Broc Feeney in a spectacular finish by less than a tenth of a second.
Brad Jones Racings' Andre Heimgartner is starting from too far back in the grid to regularly compete at the pointy end. In his last eight races, only once has he started from the Top 10. If he can find one-lap qualifying speed in Perth, he will finish higher up the field.
Jaxon Evans showed his undoubted potential with two top 10s in Tasmania, while Richie Stanaway continues to be consistently inconsistent.
Brad Jones Racings' Andre Heimgartner is starting from too far back in the grid to regularly compete at the pointy end. In his last eight races, only once has he started from the Top 10. If he can find one-lap qualifying speed in Perth, he will finish higher up the field.
Jaxon Evans showed his undoubted potential with two top 10s in Tasmania, while Richie Stanaway continues to be consistently inconsistent.
BETTING STRATEGY
As always, with Supercars it’s important to watch which cars rolls out of the truck the fastest. Because of the small margins, cars that are constantly chasing speed on Friday can be in trouble come race day.
If you are looking to place an early bet, one strategy would be to bet on the hometown boy Brodie Kostecki to make the podium, Ryan Wood to continue his previous form in Perth and Will Brown to continue his consistency.
Brodie Kostecki = Top 3
Ryan Wood = Top 6
Will Brown = Top 6
This Same Race Multi via betcha pays $9.39, so a $5 investment would return almost $47.00.
If you are looking to place an early bet, one strategy would be to bet on the hometown boy Brodie Kostecki to make the podium, Ryan Wood to continue his previous form in Perth and Will Brown to continue his consistency.
Brodie Kostecki = Top 3
Ryan Wood = Top 6
Will Brown = Top 6
This Same Race Multi via betcha pays $9.39, so a $5 investment would return almost $47.00.
As always, bet responsibly.
