THE time is here: it’s endurance season and boy are there some burning questions to be addressed as the Supercars field rolls into town for the AirTouch 500 at The Bend.

Let’s jump straight in…

Parity, parity, parity

Chevrolet has got its wish for a parity change on the eve of the enduros, with a 70mm front splitter addition on the way.

Rivals are known to be far from pleased. Some say the adjustment could be worth as much as two to three tenths a lap at Bathurst; others have even suggested it was only approved amid alleged General Motors threats to walk away.

Whatever the case, expect there to be plenty more said in the coming days on this – pending the degree to which Supercars pushes its directed ‘media blackout’.

Can the circuit change avoid another snoozer?

To say last year’s Bend 500 was a dull affair would be an understatement.

Given the ‘500’ is locked in at Tailem Bend until at least 2028, it sure would be a welcome boost for the event to turn on a spectacle this time around.

Most believe the move onto the West Circuit layout will help that cause.

The Undercut – Ford’s best Bathurst chance?

THE Undercut returns, breaking down the latest news in the world of Supercars racing!

Will the #888 gamble pay off?

Plenty has been said about the decision to split up the championship-winning driver/engineer combination of Will Brown and Andrew Edwards mid-season.

Edwards has been promoted to head of performance effective immediately, with another accomplished guru in David Cauchi taking the reins on Car #888 – albeit in a part-time capacity.

Brown has a newfound pep in his step after his Ipswich successes, but there’s no time to waste in forging a new dynamite dynamic.

Reliability…

Toyota is obviously front and centre with this matter following a spate of engine dramas this season, including a hiccup during the competitive debut of the upgraded B-spec package it’s had such high hopes for.

Pic: Walkinshaw TWG Racing

Walkinshaw TWG Racing did however exude confidence that lessons learnt from Chaz Mostert’s Ipswich failure will mean there’s no repeat.

It’s not just Toyota either, with Ford having experienced a range of sudden issues at Queensland Raceway.

Bathurst engine woes cost Nick Percat a shot at finals last year and almost wiped Ryan Wood out too… there’s no margin for error in these 300-point races.

Silly season auditions

Jobe Stewart rocketed up the pecking order with a stunning performance co-driving last year at Tailem Bend, to the point where he’s known to have subsequently fielded interest from multiple teams.

Jobe Stewart’s Erebus graduation was announced the month after his Tailem Bend heroics. Pic: Mark Walker

Jayden Ojeda didn’t do his reputation any harm either, particularly with some dazzling pace at the Bathurst.

Between full-timers fighting for their future and co-drivers trying to break into the main game, the stage is set for someone to seize the day and make an irresistible case for 2027.

Bonus round: Finals fallout

Being officially safe for finals before Bathurst is a pretty tasty carrot, allowing for a free swing at chasing Mountain glory.

Four drivers have already punched their playoffs tickets – Broc Feeney, Matt Payne, Brodie Kostecki and Cam Waters – and any number of Kai Allen, Anton De Pasquale, Will Brown, Chaz Mostert and Ryan Wood could join them by the end of Sunday.

Conversely, a cat could be thrown amongst the pigeons if someone down the standings fares well enough to be a chance of pinching direct entry associated with winning the Ryco Enduro Cup trophy.