Kostecki & Hazelwood Make History at Inaugural AirTouch 500 Enduro at The Bend

Shell V-Power Racing Team duo claim victory in front of record-breaking crowd at Shell V-Power Motorsport Park

Brodie Kostecki and Todd Hazelwood of the Shell V-Power Racing Team have etched their names into Supercars history, winning the inaugural AirTouch 500 at The Bend — the first-ever enduro event held at Shell V-Power Motorsport Park.

Over 47,000 fans flocked to the Murraylands venue across three action-packed days, witnessing the 2024 Bathurst champions reunite to claim the opening endurance race of the 2025 Supercars season.

Race Recap: Drama, Strategy, and a Homegrown Hero

After securing pole position in Saturday’s Top Ten Shootout, Red Bull Ampol Racing’s Broc Feeney and Jamie Whincup set a blistering early pace. But on Lap 15, South Australian Hazelwood made a decisive move at Turn 1, overtaking Whincup for the lead.

Kostecki took over mid-race and faced fierce competition from Monster Castrol Racing’s Cam Waters and Mark Winterbottom. Despite relentless pressure, he held firm to deliver a popular and hard-fought victory.

Fans Flock to The Bend for a Weekend of Motorsport Magic

Perfect spring weather greeted fans, who filled every vantage point — from Park N View car spots to grandstand seats. Trackside camping sold out, with 3,000 fans staying overnight to soak up every moment. Local accommodation, including motels, holiday homes, and houseboats, was fully booked, delivering a significant tourism boost to the Murraylands region.

Kostecki described the atmosphere as electric, especially during the podium walk through the Welcome Centre, where fans lined up to celebrate the win.

“It was great to see so many people here after winning the race, and seeing everyone at the podium,” said Kostecki.

Hazelwood, racing in front of his home crowd, called the win “incredibly special.”

“The circuit is one of the most challenging on the calendar, so to master it in an enduro format is unique,” he said.

Support Categories Deliver World-Class Action

Fans were treated to thrilling racing across multiple categories:

FIA TCR World Tour: Hungary’s Norbert Michelisz and Argentina’s Nestor Girolami claimed victories, with Aussie Josh Buchan finishing fourth and fifth.

Touring Car Masters: South Australia’s Joel Heinrich dominated all three races in his Chevrolet Camaro, battling Adam Garwood’s Ford Capri.

Trans Am Series: Rising star Blake Tracey, just 18, secured his first three career wins, holding off Bathurst winner Hazelwood in each race.

Aussie Racing Cars: Paid tribute to driver Shane Mann, who tragically passed away after a medical episode. Brandon Madden won all three races, with a formation lap and moment of silence held in Mann’s honour.

Porsche Carrera Cup: Harri Jones took two wins, while Marcus Amand claimed Race 3.

Evenings Alive with Entertainment and Racing

The Bend Kartdrome hosted Kartsport SA’s championship round and the inaugural AirTouch Karting Championship for amateur racers. After dark, fans enjoyed Micros on the Murray sprintcar racing at the new Live Action Arena and danced into the night with Adelaide YouTube band Sing It Live, performing their only SA show of the year.

Looking Ahead: The Enduro Tradition Continues

Shell V-Power Motorsport Park CEO Alistair MacDonald hailed the event as the biggest Supercars crowd since the venue’s debut in 2018.

“South Australian fans continue to embrace The Bend, and we welcomed visitors from every state to witness the first enduro of the season,” MacDonald said. “The atmosphere has been incredible all weekend.”

The AirTouch 500 will return in 2026, 2027, and 2028 as the official pre-Bathurst enduro. Tickets for the 2026 event are now on sale.