Reigning Supercars champions reunite to defend AirTouch 500 title at The Bend

The reigning AirTouch 500 champions are preparing to reunite in South Australia, with Brodie Kostecki and Adelaide-born Todd Hazelwood returning to defend their title at The Bend from September 11th to 13th.

After dominating the inaugural AirTouch 500 last year, the pair will again share a Shell V-Power Racing Team Ford Mustang, this time carrying one of Australian motorsport’s most recognisable numbers.

The #17 was made famous by team founder, three-time Bathurst 1000 winner and Supercars Hall of Famer Dick Johnson.

“It’s an absolute honour to be running DJ’s number and to have my name on the car,” Hazelwood said.

“To be able to say I’m a race winner in the #17 Shell V-Power Racing Mustang would be a dream come true. It’s my home state, and hopefully we can put on a good show.”

Kostecki and Hazelwood claimed victory at The Bend in 2025 after Hazelwood moved into the lead early and Kostecki held off a determined Cam Waters during the closing stages.

The result delivered Ford its first Supercars endurance victory in six years and marked the second enduro win of Kostecki and Hazelwood’s partnership. This September, they will attempt to secure their third consecutive endurance victory together.

“We’re so keen to get back to The Bend and do what we did last year — we got to the front and we never looked back,” Hazelwood said.

“We’re certainly going into this season hoping we can be greedy and go for a third in a row.”

This year’s event will present an entirely new challenge, with the AirTouch 500 moving to The Bend’s tighter 3.41-kilometre West Circuit.

Drivers are expected to complete approximately 147 laps across the circuit’s 12 turns, compared with 101 laps last year. The change is expected to create a busier and more tactical race, with teams required to manage traffic, strategy and driver changes across the 500-kilometre event.

“It’s going to be a lot tougher on the West Circuit — a lot more laps, and you’re going to be quite busy behind the wheel,” Kostecki said.

“The Bend has done something great trying something a little bit different to boost the excitement and action, and I think it will provide pretty good racing.”

The AirTouch 500 will open the two-round Ryco Enduro Cup and will be the only Supercars endurance race held before the Bathurst 1000.

Supercars will take to the circuit for three practice sessions on Friday, followed by qualifying and the Top Ten Shootout on Saturday. The 500-kilometre race will begin at 1:45pm on Sunday.

A full support program will also run across the weekend, featuring Porsche Carrera Cup, Touring Car Masters, Trans Am, Aussie Racing Cars, the Australian Prototype Series and Micro Speedway.

Camping is already close to selling out across the precinct, including the new infield campground beside pit straight. The new area includes sites for caravans, campervans and motorhomes, along with pre-set glamping tents, food trucks, bars, fire-pit areas and its own Superscreen.

General admission tickets start from $39, with children under four admitted free and free entry available for kids on Friday. Free trackside parking, shuttle buses and pit paddock access are also included.