As we get that bit closer to spring and away from the somewhat mucky weather, racing drivers the world over are slowly waking up from their winter slumber. One particular pack of Aussies, meanwhile, have got back on track to cram in some late summer racing just for us (we like to think), so buckle up for some cracking coverage of that, and much more besides, this weekend!The snarling, lean, mean muscle machines from V8 Supercars have returned for another season of typically raucous Antipodean racing, and we’re bringing you all the best bits from the first round of the 2016 championship in Adelaide. There were some staggering figures flying around going into the highly anticipated event, including V8 legend Craig Lowndes’ unprecedented 251st series start and Holden’s chance to build on its record 12 wins from 13 races since 2010. Nevertheless, all eyes were firmly fixed on defending champion Mark Winterbottom to see how he kicked off his 2016 title charge. However, not even the Aussies could escape the nasty weather this time out, and the ensuing drama made for a fantastic season-opener. Don’t just take our word for it – catch our highlights to reveal all!
Just in case you missed it, we also have coverage from another far-flung and gloriously exotic event – the 2016 FIA World Rally Championship’s third round in Mexico. French favourite Sebastien Ogier went into the event on the back of two dominant wins in Monte-Carlo and Sweden, but he and the rest of the WRC roster would need to step up several gears to succeed at the gruelling Mexican venue. Mastering the technique and set-up on the rally’s distinctively scraggly terrain was paramount, as the Central American outing marked the first of six consecutive dirt rounds. If you thought it couldn’t get any tougher for these poor chaps, wait until you see how they tackled the new Guanajuato stage which, at a gigantic 80 km, is the longest to feature in any world championship rally since 1983. Could Ogier’s fellow Volkswagen racers step up to the plate and conquer the intimidating course? And could the ever-unfortunate Kris Meeke finally put his rapid pace to good use?We’re also heading to New Zealand for the third round of the Toyota 86 Championship at Ruapuna. If you’re a true petrolhead, you’ll know that the only way to go forward is at high speed with skinny tyres, rear-wheel-drive and a stupid tendency to step out of line in the corners. This championship delivers that and plenty more, with drivers thrashing a mighty selection of Toyota’s highly entertaining 86 sportscar. Identical machinery makes for the purest form of racing, so sit back and watch how motorsport should be done.
Ahead of the latest round at Mugello next weekend, we’ve put together all the highlights of the International Endurance Series' first outing in Dubai to get you in the mood for more dramatic long haul racing. A 100-strong grid featuring an eclectic range of premium sportscar machinery took to the 5.39-kilometre Dubai Autodrome for the twice-around-the-clock slog, and threw up all the thrills and spills you can expect from one of the most physically and mentally challenging ordeals in global motorsport. Coverage for your high octane viewing delectation doesn’t get much more exciting than this!If that wasn’t enough, there’s also coverage of some great one-off events, including the Monte-Carlo Historic Rally and Le Touquet Enduropale, as well as the Sunoco Rolex 24 Daytona Challenge to keep you firmly on that sofa!
Saturday 12th March17:20 – FIA World Rally Championship best-of, Rd 3, Rally Mexico18:25 – International Endurance Series best-of, Rd 1, Dubai19:25 – Toyota 86 Championship New Zealand, Rd 3, Ruapuna20:30 – V8 Supercars highlights, Rd 1, Adelaide
Sunday 13th March09:00 – Sunoco Rolex 24 Daytona Challenge12:10 – Monte-Carlo Historic Rally19:25 – Le Touquet Enduropale replay
