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Lights tested ahead of Perth SuperNight

29 Apr 2022
Supercars will race under lights on Saturday
2 mins by James Pavey
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Preparations for Perth's night race continued on Friday with a test of the lighting system at Wanneroo Raceway.

The Perth circuit is hosting a Supercars round for the first time since 2019.

Saturday's opening 46-lap sprint, Race 10 of the 2022 season, will run under lights.

A full-circuit test of the lighting was completed on Friday evening ahead of Saturday's opening practice session.

A total of 35 light towers and eight stadium-type flood lights were tested.

General Manager of Television and Content Nathan Prendergast oversaw the test.

Supercars Driving Standards Observer Craig Baird was also joined by Shane van Gisbergen.

Speaking with Supercars.com, Prendergast explained his excitement with the improvements made to illuminate the 2.42km layout.

"We are very pleased with the outcome," Prendergast told Supercars.com.

"We had a lot of learnings from 2019 and have worked on some of the trouble areas like the bowl [Turn 6], and achieving generally even light for drivers across the whole track.

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"It's never going to be as good as Sydney Motorsport Park, but it's also fantastic for broadcast because in the low light, you see sparks and glowing brakes, and it really does deliver something different as a visual spectacle.

"But we also have to make it to a level where the drivers are comfortable.

"The trick about Wanneroo is you can't put lights on the infield because of the shape of it and there are no walls.

"So there is a lot of the balancing of not only what works for the track, but what works for the drivers.

"When they come out of certain corners, we have to check whether a light on the other side of the track could shine in their eyes.

"So, all in all, we are very pleased with the results.

"Shane van Gisbergen had a quick lap with Craig Baird and he was very happy; his words were, 'It's a lot better than 2019'."

Supercars will hit the track at Wanneroo Raceway on Saturday for Practice 1 at 10:20am local time.

ARMOR ALL Qualifying will commence at 2:40pm, ahead of Race 10 at 6:40pm.

The event is broadcast live and ad-free on Foxtel and Kayo.

Tickets are available on Supercars.com and Ticketek.

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