Insight Mark Walker September 17, 2024 (Comments off) (381)

Sandown 500: Notebook Edition

It’s all of the things you don’t get to see at home: this is the Sandown 500 Notebook.


Everyone’s Favourite BBQ was Back!

Many Tickford racing machines were sacrificed to make the best BBQ setup in the history of motorsport.

Sadly, the old girl will need a good Gerni after the Sunday commute into the circuit…


Sandown 60th Celebrations

The festivities were noted with some branding around the venue, which was a nice touch.

There was also a merchandise drop, with some lines significantly discounted by the end of the weekend.


TV Host Desk

The old 1984-spec pit garages are pretty cramped for space, and while everyone wants the exposure of hosting the TV desk, it sure pushes teams and broadcasters for elbow room.


Is anyone missing a caravan?

Sandown is home to a lot of events throughout the year, including a caravan and camping show. This Jayco pop top has been sitting in place under the grandstand stairs for numerous years. Does anyone want to claim it?


Cherry Ripe Time

Channelling his inner Peter Janson, Jack Perkins’ free Cherry Ripe giveaway was in full swing over the weekend.


Empty

In years past, this lawn to the south of the grandstand was brimming with activations, but this year, it was bare.

Additionally, the display area under the grandstand was decidedly empty…


Pole Position

Reserve parking was at a premium at Sandown, with the Supercars C-suite and the drivers each provided with a dedicated car park.


The Big Wet

Meanwhile, in the pleb parking lots, this was the scene first thing on Saturday morning…

By Sunday morning, things were pretty grim…


Nice Setup

There’s no doubt these guys have done motorsport before…


Flip Top Podium

To let the fans see the racing, the podium featured a flip backdrop, which was quickly erected when it was time to hand out the trophies.


Media Assemble

While for other events, such as the Shannons SpeedSeries, the media are placed in a track-facing corporate suite at the top of the grandstand, for the 500, the scribes and photographers can be found on the first level of the grandstand in an old function space.


Putting the ‘stand’ back in ‘grandstand’

While the grandstand was a ticketed area, a platform at the rear of the grandstand allowed punters to take in the action from the dry, albeit on their feet.


Is this supposed to be 36 or 38?

Probably important…


Camera Perch

Due to the noise barriers surrounding the venue, multiple cameras can be found on the outside looking in.


Spare Lights

For those starting down the back, these are the relay lights for the race starts.


Cones

A look at how the cones are fixed to the ground in the Esses.


Tucker Time

As opposed to the fine dining options at the Australian Grand Prix, for Sandown 500, the beige food group got a fair workout.


The Future is Here

The new Hino 300 Series Hybrid tow truck is in place next to the model it superseded.


Pit Markings

Each of the teams has its own way of marking its place in the pit lane. The below is how the different teams shape up from pit in to pit out.


Is this some Formula Ford undertray left behind after the recent Vic State Race event?


Old Stacks

Previously, large stacks were used to mark the apexes at turns two and three. This is how they were constructed.


Some first-class parking from this BMW. Well done mate.


Wildlife: Sandown Edition

Not pictured: the local fox population.


Up Next: Unseen Sandown

We examined Unseen Sandown previously on these pages. Two years on, we have taken another deep dive into the classic circuit—stay tuned in the coming days for that special feature.

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