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The Undercut – Fuelling the feuds in Supercars!

The Undercut – Fuelling the feuds in Supercars!

The V8 Sleuth Podcast Apr 23, 2026 78 min
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About this episode

A wide-ranging Supercars-focused chat mixes personality, rivalry, and race analysis. Aaron Noon and Jack Perkins kick off with the “swoop” haircut debate, then celebrate Ryan Wood as a standout performer (plus NASCAR first-win stories for Ty Gibbs and Kai Allen). The big on-track talking point is the Chaz Mostert vs Brodie Kostecki incident and what it says about championship pressure, media timing, and driver accountability. They also debate “a-grade” driver depth (Chev vs Toyota), Rua Puna’s suitability for Supercars, parity-trigger concerns, Gen3’s cost vs success, and even commentary production choices—ending with tributes to Terry Sawyer and Barry Sheene.

Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Chevrolet Equinox
Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Chevrolet Equinox

"The 2026 Chevy Equinox is more than an SUV, it's your Sunday tailgate and your parking lot snack bar... It's more than an SUV, it's your Equinox."

The Chevrolet Equinox is a regular SUV model from Chevrolet. They’re basically saying it’s a useful everyday car that can also handle fun stuff like tailgates and carrying gear.

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Topic

the undercut

"Great to have you with us, it's time for the undercut. There is so much to talk about... I'm Aaron Noon and the guy across the desk is Jack Perkins."

“The undercut” is the name of the part of the show where they start the main discussion. In racing, it can also mean a pit-stop strategy, but here it’s mainly setting up the segment.

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Topic

motor racing chat

"But before we get into anything, any motor racing chat, any Rua Puna chat, any Topor chat, the hair, it has been the biggest topic out of the first episode of the year."

They’re telling you that before anything else, they’ll talk about racing. It’s basically a heads-up that the show is about motorsport.

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Concept

doubleheader in New Zealand for supercars

"We've got heaps to talk about, he's going with a doubleheader in New Zealand for supercars. As always on this show, we'd like to start with our Castro performer of the week..."

A doubleheader is basically two races scheduled close together. Teams have to plan for both races in a row, so tires, car setup, and driver energy all matter over the whole weekend.

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Term

Jason Richards trophy

"...Brian Wood, who came like that close to winning the Jason Richards trophy, first win for Toyota in top or the previous weekend..."

The Jason Richards Trophy is an award in Supercars based on points. Instead of just winning one race, you earn it by doing well across multiple rounds.

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Concept

most points across the two rounds

"...was on target to have the most points across the two rounds to win that trophy."

That phrase means the winner is the driver who scores the most points over two races. It’s not only about winning one race; doing well in both can decide the outcome.

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Concept

on track success

"I think we've got it with him and then you couple that with on track success and capability being perfect."

It just means how well someone performs during the actual races. The hosts are saying he’s doing well not only in interviews, but also when the car is on track.

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Concept

race smart people

"But you put them in the car, they are the most race smart people you will ever come across."

It means the driver is good at thinking through the race, not just driving fast. They make smart choices during the race when things get complicated.

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Brand

Castrol

"So I feel he's my Castrol performer of the fortnight. Have you got a Castrol performer of the week or from our little chat in WhatsApp in the lead-up to this show, I've got a sense that you've got a bit of a performers of the week going this week."

Castrol is a company that makes engine oils and other car fluids. In this show, they’re using the Castrol name for a “performer” award, like a spotlight on a driver’s week. It’s basically a sponsor-backed way to recognize who stood out.

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Concept

first time winners

"Well it's a bit the same in the sense of it's a fortnight thing but what I love in motorsport and obviously all sport as well but particularly motorsport is first time winners."

They’re highlighting when someone wins a race for the first time. In racing, that’s a major milestone because it usually means everything finally clicked—driver, team, and car. Fans and teams often celebrate it in a big way.

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Concept

first win

"...you made a T-shirt for your first win didn't you? ...the two performers of the fortnight... picking up his first win..."

A “first win” means the driver finally wins a race for the first time. It’s a big moment because it proves they can compete at that level, and everyone celebrates it.

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Concept

NASCAR Cup Series

"...was Ty Gibbs picking up his first win in the NASCAR Cup Series. He'd done 131 Cup Series starts to date so it was coming..."

NASCAR’s Cup Series is the biggest, most important stock-car racing league in the U.S. Winning your first race there is a huge deal because it means you can compete with the best drivers.

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Concept

Xfinity Series races

"...Ty helped me a lot personally prepare for the two Xfinity Series races I did last year."

The Xfinity Series is NASCAR’s “step below” the top Cup Series. It’s where drivers build experience and show they’re ready for bigger races.

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Company

JGR team

"...I obviously followed the JGR team with serious interest and just to see that kid..."

JGR (Joe Gibbs Racing) is a well-known NASCAR racing team. Having a strong team behind you can help a driver practice, learn, and get better results.

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Topic

Supercars feuds

"to just see what it means to both of them. Just to watch their celebrations, both unique and different in their own respects and to thank the various people that have helped them. That is what it's all about."

They’re discussing rivalries in Supercars racing—basically, how drivers compete against each other and how those battles turn into big career moments. The episode is using race results and personal stories to explain why the rivalry matters.

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Term

race boots

"Kai's got those race boots, sneaker things going here. Bush is a well, he's just main game with Erebus full time by that stage."

Race boots are special shoes drivers wear to feel the pedals better and keep their feet steady. They’re designed so you can press the pedals precisely without your foot sliding around.

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Brand

Erebus

"Bush is a well, he's just main game with Erebus full time by that stage. Kai's learning the ropes."

Erebus is a well-known racing team in Australia. Saying a driver is “with Erebus full time” means they’re driving for that team regularly, not just as a one-off.

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Concept

learning the ropes

"Kai's learning the ropes. How is it that it all turns out that he beats Brody to win his first race?"

“Learning the ropes” means getting used to a new, tougher level of racing. It’s the phase where a driver figures out how everything works—car setup, race strategy, and team communication.

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Topic

Super 3

"I remember watching him in potentially Super 3 and Garth Tannac commentating one of the racers saying at one of the go-kart awards nights,"

Super 3 is a lower-level racing series that helps drivers build skills before moving up. The host is saying they’ve seen the driver compete there before they reached the bigger stage.

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Company

Garth Tannac

"I remember watching him in potentially Super 3 and Garth Tannac commentating one of the racers saying at one of the go-kart awards nights,"

Garth Tannac is mentioned as someone who commentated on the racing. Commentators help explain what’s happening on track so viewers can follow the action.

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Concept

go-kart awards nights

"one of the racers saying at one of the go-kart awards nights, just about war at the carpet going up to the stage to get all these awards. So fantastic for him and his whole family."

Go-kart awards nights are part of grassroots motorsport culture where young drivers are recognized for performance and progression. These events often mark early talent development before drivers move into higher categories.

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Concept

podium

"[488.5s] And I've got a feeling that he's going to get another one not too far away [490.8s] because he just kept finding the podium. [492.9s] He was literally wearing out the podium like he did the cup at that night for the carding."

The podium is where the top three finishers stand after the race. If someone keeps getting on it, they’re consistently finishing near the front.

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Topic

closing couple of laps

"[521.2s] Chas Moster, Brody Kostecki, Sunday race. [523.7s] Was that a statement by Chas what unfolded in those closing couple of laps? [531.1s] Well, it's hard to say whether it's a statement or just a bit of blowing off some steam"

“Closing couple of laps” refers to the final stretch of a race, when positions are decided and drivers are most aggressive. In racing analysis, late-race behavior often indicates strategy, tire management, and how drivers respond to frustration or pressure.

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Topic

Red Cross

"[531.1s] Well, it's hard to say whether it's a statement or just a bit of blowing off some steam [536.4s] from frustration, to be honest with you. [538.4s] I think Chas had had a terrible weekend at Red Cross."

“Red Cross” appears to be a race venue or event name in the Supercars calendar being referenced as where Chas had a terrible weekend. Venue-specific track characteristics can strongly affect car setup and driver performance.

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Concept

rectus scale

"[553.1s] And I think by the end of the weekend, when he got himself into a reasonable position, [559.0s] yeah, I think, you know, one little interaction with Brody just sent him off the rectus scale [564.9s] and he decided to give him something back and more."

This sounds like a description of a driver getting thrown off their line or getting into trouble after an interaction. In racing, even a small contact can ruin your speed and your chances for the rest of the race.

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Concept

post-race conversations

"And, you know, you've seen from the post-race conversations. I don't think he meant for what happened to happen."

After a race, drivers and teams talk about what happened. If someone thinks another driver acted unfairly, those comments can turn into a bigger argument.

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Concept

frustration

"But certainly it comes from frustration, mate. You know, I think he's just wants to be the number. He's got the number one in his car and he's currently the number two in the team. So he's frustrated."

They’re saying the driver was upset, and that can make people take bigger risks. When you really want a result, emotions can push you into mistakes.

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Concept

trophies on the line

"And, you know, I was going to say that the move from Brody came from the fact that once Ryan would dropped out, the trophies on the line, the Jason Richards Memorial trophies on the line."

They mean the race matters a lot because it affects who wins an award. When there’s something big to win, drivers often push harder.

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Topic

Jason Richards Memorial trophies

"...the trophies on the line, the Jason Richards Memorial trophies on the line. And I think at an angle that hasn't been really explored in all of this, that occurred to me the other day."

They’re talking about a special trophy connected to Jason Richards. The point is that the prize made the drivers more motivated to fight hard.

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Concept

move at turn two

"...to the lengths that Brody did with that move at turn two, which were very, very forceful to win that trophy. That trophy means something because otherwise he doesn't launch that move..."

They’re describing an action that happened at a particular corner of the track. Moves at specific turns are often judged more harshly because the conditions there make them easier or harder to pull off safely.

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Topic

final series

"So when the finals come around or a bath is wins on the line or anything else that matters, I'll give as good as I get. It could be. And I think we covered a bit of this off in our previous undercut"

“Final series” here refers to the end-of-season championship phase where results in the last races can decide the title. That changes how drivers approach risk: they may defend harder, time moves more carefully, or accept short-term losses to protect points. The episode frames this as the pressure cooker that turns on-track incidents into bigger rivalries.

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Concept

driving standards

"where we spoke about the drivers finding the limitations of the driving standards, ..."

“Driving standards” in motorsport usually means the expected level of driving behavior—how aggressively drivers can race while still staying within rules and stewards’ interpretations. When drivers “find the limitations,” they’re testing where the boundary is between acceptable contact/defense and penalties. That’s especially relevant when the goal is to set up for a final championship run.

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Term

bumper

"So maybe think about next time you go and pass me or use my bumper. Maybe you'll do something different."

In racing talk, “bumper” usually refers to the front or rear of a car used during close racing and contact. The transcript suggests using someone’s bumper as a reference for aggressive passing—i.e., contact or pressure that can lead to off-track outcomes and penalties.

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Concept

dumps him down the order

"OK, 30 second penalty, dumps him down the order. But what it does for the bigger picture, he doesn't lose the championship because of that race."

When you get a penalty, you often fall behind other cars. That’s what they mean by “dumps him down the order”—you’re no longer in the same spot you were running.

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Term

30 second penalty

"OK, 30 second penalty, dumps him down the order. But what it does for the bigger picture, he doesn't lose the championship because of that race."

Sometimes race officials add extra time to a driver’s result. A “30-second penalty” means the driver effectively loses time, so they can fall behind other cars in the race order.

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Concept

championship points

"But what it does for the bigger picture, he doesn't lose the championship because of that race. I mean, we saw last year, he did not finish at Bathurst and still won the championship. So coughing up some points at, you know, round four of the championship, the final race is not going to be the end of the world in terms of the championship."

In racing championships, you don’t just race for one win—you earn points across many events. Losing points from one race can hurt, but it might still be recoverable later.

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Concept

engine issue

"Now, we all know there was an engine issue with the car at Adelaide for Brock Feeney. Ultimately, that's what cost him the championship."

They mean something went wrong with the engine. In racing, engine trouble is a big deal because it can slow the car down or even stop it from finishing, which can cost championship points.

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Concept

Adelaide

"Now, we all know there was an engine issue with the car at Adelaide for Brock Feeney. Ultimately, that's what cost him the championship."

They’re talking about a specific race in Adelaide. If a car has a mechanical problem there, it can cost a driver big points and hurt their chances to win the championship.

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Concept

bury that hatchet

"But I think he just he's going to die. I think he probably not prepared to bury that hatchet maybe until he wins a championship."

“Bury that hatchet” is an idiom meaning to end a feud and move on. In the context of the podcast, it’s used to describe how rival drivers/teams may not resolve tensions until a major goal—like winning a championship—is achieved.

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Concept

organic rivalry

"And it's real. It's organic. [1069.1s] And it comes because of the finals format at the core. [1073.0s] If you wind it all the way back to where did this thing?"

An “organic” rivalry is one that grows naturally from on-track events and repeated competitive interactions, rather than being manufactured by media hype. The hosts argue that the finals format and specific incidents (like Adelaide) are what created the rivalry.

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Topic

finals format

"And it comes because of the finals format at the core. [1073.0s] If you wind it all the way back to where did this thing? [1076.7s] It starts because of the finals."

They’re saying the way the championship finals are set up affects who ends up racing who. That can lead to more drama because the stakes are higher and the matchups are tighter.

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Concept

engine drama

"The way that Adelaide unfolded, the way that the engine drama, [1083.2s] the contact on the first lap, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah."

“Engine drama” is shorthand for problems or failures related to the powertrain during a race weekend—things like misfires, overheating, or mechanical issues that affect performance. In motorsport coverage, these moments often become part of the rivalry narrative because they can change outcomes or lead to contact.

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Concept

contact on the first lap

"The way that Adelaide unfolded, the way that the engine drama, [1083.2s] the contact on the first lap, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah."

They’re talking about a crash or bump right at the start of the race. Those early incidents often lead to arguments because everyone’s still close together and positions are being fought for.

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Brand

Ford

"We have got a great organic one here with two young guys, Ozzy and Kiwi, [1098.3s] Ford and Toyota, Triple Eight and Walcons shores. [1101.0s] It allows really well."

Ford is the car brand involved in this Supercars rivalry. When big brands like Ford and Toyota are competing, it can make rivalries feel bigger and more intense.

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Brand

Toyota

"Ford and Toyota, Triple Eight and Walcons shores. [1101.0s] It allows really well. [1102.2s] And then you see so many people online say, oh, but the media is fueling all of this."

Toyota is the other brand in the rivalry they’re talking about. When Toyota and Ford are both involved, it often turns a driver feud into a bigger brand storyline.

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Company

Walcons shores

"Ford and Toyota, Triple Eight and Walcons shores. [1101.0s] It allows really well. [1102.2s] And then you see so many people online say, oh, but the media is fueling all of this."

This sounds like a team name, but the transcript may have misheard it. They’re basically saying the rivalry involves specific teams, not just drivers.

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Topic

media is fueling all of this

"And then you see so many people online say, oh, but the media is fueling all of this. [1105.8s] This is terrible. [1106.7s] These are the same people who want a rivalry."

They’re talking about whether news coverage makes rivalries worse. The hosts say the people complaining are often the same ones who want rivalries in the first place.

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Concept

Rhymewood incident

"...before and after the Rhymewood incident at Adelaide last year. He's always been very good with the media..."

They mention a specific incident that people in the Supercars world recognize by a nickname. It’s basically shorthand for a notable crash/controversy that affected the driver’s reputation and how the media talked about him.

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Concept

villain because you want everything

"And that becomes an issue for someone like Jamie because you win so many races and then you become the villain because you want everything. And then if it was stuff, you're a victim of your own success."

When someone wins a lot in racing, some fans start to dislike them—not because they’re doing something wrong, but because they’re dominating. The “villain” label is basically about how people talk about them, not just their driving.

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Concept

victim of your own success

"And then if it was stuff, you're a victim of your own success. I can kind of see that potentially Brock could end up in a similar situation."

It means the driver’s success makes life harder for them. The more they win, the more people judge them and look for reasons to criticize them.

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Concept

A-grade drivers

"So my question, Jack, who are the A-grade drivers of supercars? ... And we talked about this. ... what is an A-grader?"

“A-grade drivers” is just a way of saying the best, most proven drivers in the series. The hosts argue about what counts as “best,” usually based on wins and top results.

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Brand

Chevy

"... the Chevy side doesn't have a lot of Gen 3 race winning drivers, fact."

“Chevy” here means Chevrolet, the car brand that competes in Supercars. They’re debating whether Chevrolet has produced as many of the very best, race-winning drivers as other brands.

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Concept

Triple 8 car

"[1331.9s] He's never been out of a Triple 8 car. [1333.6s] Correct."

Triple Eight is a well-known Supercars racing team in Australia. If someone’s “never been out of a Triple 8 car,” it means they’ve mostly raced for that same team.

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Topic

best car for all of your career

"[1334.0s] But the aim of the game is to be in the best car for all of your career or as much of it as you can. [1338.5s] He's A, absolutely."

The hosts are discussing a career strategy in Supercars: staying in the best-performing car/team for as much of your career as possible. In racing, “best car” usually reflects the whole package—car setup, engineering, reliability, and driver support—not just raw power.

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Concept

A-minus / A-elect / A's / bees and seas

"I've got two that I would say are A-minus... I had Kai Allen as an A-elect... There's guys who are bees and seas. Guys who are seas who could become bees..."

They’re ranking drivers into different “levels” based on how good they are and how likely they are to move up. It’s basically a way to talk about who’s expected to become a top star.

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Concept

driver market

"...on who are the guys who are going to control the driver market for the next 5, 6, 7, 8 years? That if one moves, or if Matt Paine's going to leave Groves, or if Cam Waters ever left Tickford..."

They mean which drivers are likely to get the best seats in the future. If a driver leaves a team or a team changes its lineup, other drivers move up to fill those spots.

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Company

Groves

"...That if one moves, or if Matt Paine's going to leave Groves, or if Cam Waters ever left Tickford..."

Groves is a Supercars team/operation. If key people move on, it can create openings for drivers and shake up who ends up where.

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Company

Red Bull

"...or if Red Bull dispensed one of their drivers for whatever reason, who are they looking for to change that up..."

Red Bull is a major motorsport brand that supports drivers. If they stop backing a driver or move them elsewhere, it can change which drivers get seats.

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Brand

Paul Morris Motorsports

"I'm still in a group text message with a bunch of people that I work with at Paul Morris Motorsports back in 2010."

They mention Paul Morris Motorsports as where the speaker works. In racing, the team you’re with can affect how the car is set up and who you work with.

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Topic

Bathurst top 10 shootout predictions

"But every year we come up with our Bathurst top 10 shootout predictions. Of who's going to get in? The top 10 that are going to get in from Qualifying..."

They’re discussing a Bathurst event format where the quickest cars from qualifying get invited into a special top-10 session. The group is making predictions about which drivers/cars will make that cut.

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Concept

Qualifying

"The top 10 that are going to get in from Qualifying, and to what we would call Jarrod Ruffys... When do you have to choose? Before Qualifying."

Qualifying is when drivers try to set their fastest lap to earn a better starting spot. At Bathurst, qualifying also decides which cars get into the top-10 shootout.

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Term

Jarrod Ruffys

"and to what we would call Jarrod Ruffys. Jarrod Ruffys, there's a hook, man, I like that... When do you have to choose? Before Qualifying."

“Jarrod Ruffys” sounds like a fun prediction category the group uses alongside the main top-10 shootout picks. It’s meant to guess who could surprise and make the cut.

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Term

Bathurst shootout

"They're all in my Bathurst shootout. All of us, right? And then my Ruffys are David Reynolds... And the Bathurst shootout is typically the fastest 10 guys in that session."

The “Bathurst shootout” refers to the final top-10 session where the fastest qualifiers compete again. The hosts describe it as typically featuring the fastest 10 cars from that session, making it a strong snapshot of pace.

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Concept

tiebreaker

"There was kind of this, hang on a minute, we've got an equal point situation going into the last few laps... whoever got the best result in the last race was going to break the tiebreaker"

A tiebreaker is what you use when two people end up with the same points. It’s the extra rule that decides who gets the win or the trophy when the normal points don’t separate them.

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Term

stewards

"So it actually got to the point where the stewards were tapped to go, hey, what do you think about all this?"

Stewards are the officials who watch the race and make decisions when something is unclear. If there’s a rules dispute or an incident, they decide what the outcome should be.

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Term

Sprint Cup

"that yes, there's rules in place for Enduro Cup and Sprint Cup."

Sprint Cup is the shorter-race version of the competition. Since it’s a different race length, it usually has its own rules for how points and results are handled.

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Enduro Cup

"that yes, there's rules in place for Enduro Cup and Sprint Cup."

Enduro Cup is a racing category that’s built around longer races. Because it’s longer, the rules are often more detailed—especially for points and how results are decided.

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Term

JR trophy

"Obviously, the Peter Brock trophy, the Larry Perkins trophy, the JR trophy. And then there's the Jim Richards medal, Barry Sheen medal. ... Brody Kostecki had two wins and Brock had none, but Brock, by being virtually finishing higher than Brody, would have got the trophy."

The JR trophy is an award given at the end of the event. The discussion is about how the rules decide who earns it, and how that can change depending on the tie-break method.

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Term

Peter Brock trophy

"Obviously, the Peter Brock trophy, the Larry Perkins trophy, the JR trophy. ... Brody Kostecki had two wins and Brock had none, but Brock, by being virtually finishing higher than Brody, would have got the trophy."

The Peter Brock trophy is one of the special awards handed out after the season. In this episode, they use Brock’s race results to show how the trophy could go to someone else depending on how the rules are applied.

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Larry Perkins trophy

"Obviously, the Peter Brock trophy, the Larry Perkins trophy, the JR trophy. And then there's the Jim Richards medal, Barry Sheen medal."

The Larry Perkins trophy is another named award given at the end of the event. The hosts are talking about making sure the rules are clear so nobody is confused about how trophies are awarded.

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Term

Barry Sheen medal

"And then there's the Jim Richards medal, Barry Sheen medal. So there's not like we've got one for every race."

The Barry Sheen medal is another named award given out at the end. The hosts are pointing out that there are several different awards, so the criteria need to be clear.

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Term

Jim Richards medal

"And then there's the Jim Richards medal, Barry Sheen medal. So there's not like we've got one for every race."

The Jim Richards medal is one of the awards handed out at the end. The episode is about making sure everyone understands the award rules so there’s no confusion.

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Concept

deadlock breaker (tie-breaking rules)

"It was who won the most races, most seconds, most thirds, before you could break the deadlock. So it's how the polar wards worked over the years too."

A deadlock is when the points don’t separate two people. The tie-breaker rules decide who wins by using a priority list like more wins first, then more second places, and so on.

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Concept

merit-based trophy awarding

"So that's a whole new series of questions over who actually should win the trophy in merit. ... Well, let's just make sure there's a rule. We don't have to have that question ever again."

The hosts question “who actually should win the trophy in merit,” highlighting a common motorsport governance issue: whether awards reflect race-by-race finishing merit, cumulative performance, or a specific tie-break hierarchy. They conclude by emphasizing the need for clear rules to prevent the same confusion from happening again.

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Term

tyres

"Those who remember Jason, his dad always did his tyres for him, [1688.9s] no matter what team he was a popular figure in the paddock. [1691.6s] I think he missed maybe one or two rounds in JRs in tyre supercar career across,"

Tyres are a critical consumable in Supercars because grip and wear directly affect lap times and race strategy. The transcript highlights a “tyres” routine—Jason’s dad doing them—showing how hands-on tyre preparation and timing can influence performance and reliability over a weekend.

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Concept

paddock

"no matter what team he was a popular figure in the paddock. [1691.6s] I think he missed maybe one or two rounds in JRs in tyre supercar career across,"

The paddock is the busy area near the track where racing teams hang out and do their work. It’s not the race itself—it’s where cars get prepared and team people interact.

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Company

FPR

"I remember giving Jason a bit of stick one time because he was essentially going to do a deal. [1711.1s] I think it was with FPR or Tickford, whatever they were called that week."

FPR is the name of a racing team/operation. When they mention it in a “deal” context, they mean Jason was considering driving with or for that team.

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Topic

Mark Porter trophy in Hamilton

"And I guess then the other thing I did want to quickly mention is, [1725.9s] because it was over two weekends, we used to have the Mark Porter trophy in Hamilton."

They’re talking about a specific award called the Mark Porter trophy. It was being presented during the Hamilton event(s), and they mention it to give context to what happened over those weekends.

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Concept

Denny Holm

"And maybe we could bring back the Mark Porter trophy for another one, or pay tribute to Denny Holm or other guys that have been notorious with New Zealand motorsport."

Denny Holm is mentioned as someone worth paying tribute to within New Zealand motorsport. The hosts are discussing how memorial trophies can recognize influential figures in the local racing community.

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Concept

trophy at a particular round

"I do like the situation that we have where to race for a trophy at a particular round, it might help make some of those smaller rounds mean a little bit more."

They’re saying you can make certain races more special by having a trophy that’s only on the line at that event. That helps even smaller races feel like they matter.

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Concept

Australian touring car era

"In its Australian touring car, era, early V8 supercars, I think it's great."

They’re referring to a time when touring-car racing was a major part of Australian motorsport. The idea is that trophies should match the history and identity of that era.

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Concept

Bathurst in 06

"And obviously he passed away, Bathurst in 06. Hamilton came on the calendar in 08."

“Bathurst in 06” refers to the year 2006 at Mount Panorama (Bathurst), a cornerstone event in Australian motorsport. The hosts connect Mark Porter’s timeline to Bathurst, emphasizing the significance of major Australian race weekends.

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Concept

Hamilton came on the calendar in 08

"Hamilton came on the calendar in 08. So it was a logical, nice tie up."

They’re saying Hamilton started hosting races in 2008. The trophy makes sense there because it matches the timing and location of the event.

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Concept

Garth Hannah

"I remember seeing Mark's wife, 80, present Garth Hannah with that the first time. And it was like the biggest, huge trophy you've ever seen."

Garth Hannah is referenced in the context of Mark Porter’s trophy presentation, indicating he was the recipient at that moment. This is a human-interest detail that helps listeners understand how these trophies are actually awarded.

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Concept

Super 2 series

"And when I think about it, he spent more time in the Super 2 series than sort of, he was a co-driver in the main game for a couple of years there"

Super 2 is like a stepping-stone racing series. Drivers use it to gain experience and then try to move up to the main Supercars championship.

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Topic

Rua Puna

"New Zealand, is Rua Puna good enough for Super Cars? Jack, yes or no?"

Rua Puna is the race track/location they’re talking about for Supercars in New Zealand. They’re arguing whether it works well for racing and for fans watching.

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Concept

pit lane wasn't big enough

"So you're okay with the fact that the pit lane wasn't big enough for pit stops."

If the pit lane is too small, teams can’t get cars in and out as smoothly. That can slow down tyre changes and other pit work during the race.

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Topic

Highlands

"You're okay with the fact that there's not more rounds in Australia. You're okay with it, that it's not at Highlands, that the traffic was no good"

Highlands is another track/location mentioned as a place they’re not using. The point is that different venues have different problems and trade-offs.

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Term

pit exit placement

"that the pit exit placement is ordinary, that the internet was no good."

Pit exit placement is where cars come back onto the track after leaving the pits. If it’s awkward, it can make it harder to rejoin safely and smoothly.

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Term

tyre walls

"There was earthfield tyre walls that..."

Tyre walls are safety barriers made of tyres. They help slow and absorb energy if a car hits the wall, making crashes less severe.

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Topic

Super Series

"And I raced down there in the Super Series. I'll say you drove there, didn't you?"

The “Super Series” is mentioned in the context of racing at Rua Puna, suggesting a racing event/category the speaker participated in. It’s used to justify their opinion about whether the venue works, based on personal experience.

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Topic

pit stops

"It didn't really hurt anyone the pit stops. No, and I think even the fans, it was a sell out from what they were saying on the TV,"

A pit stop is when the race car pulls into the pit lane during the race to get help from the team. Usually that means things like tire changes, and it’s done strategically so the car can keep going fast.

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Topic

Malala

"we have tracks that we could be racing in Australia. Winton, Malala, one raceway. Now, they've all copped a beating over time"

Malala is a race track mentioned as part of the speaker’s list of places Australia could race. Tracks affect how the car drives, so teams would adjust their setup for that circuit.

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Topic

Winton

"There's not around in Winton because there's not government money to help the regional side of the situation. So I think that that's the next focus. We've got to get around back at Winton."

They’re talking about the race track at Winton and why it makes sense to hold an event there. The point is that some tracks get more support than others, which affects where races can happen.

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Topic

Phillip Island

"Phillip Island is a stretch too far, but Winton is the logical. I love that Rua Puna in the fact that it's an old school race track that they just found a way to make it happen."

Phillip Island is mentioned as a venue that’s “a stretch too far,” implying travel or logistical cost makes it less feasible for the planned event. It’s a well-known Australian circuit, so the comment is about practicality rather than track quality.

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Concept

infield focus

"because it's got a very infield focus that you can't go out and put the cameras in the middle of the track kind of like you can."

They’re describing how the track is laid out so that the racing and viewing are centered around the infield. Because of that layout, it’s harder to place cameras right in the middle of the track.

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Topic

Queensland Raceway

"They're like Queensland Raceway. Yeah, yeah, correct, correct."

Queensland Raceway is a race track in Australia. The hosts mention it to compare how much of the action you can see while standing near the track.

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Topic

Townsville

"[2098.3s] but you do get that fatigue at events. [2100.4s] And we've seen it in Townsville, [2102.4s] where the first three, four, five years are booming and great. [2105.8s] And after a while, the casual viewer falls away."

Townsville is used as an example of a race event that started strong and then got harder to keep going. It’s basically about how fan interest can rise and fall.

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Concept

championship standings

"but the thing is with all this, he's still fourth in the championship. Yeah, it's crazy looking at those stats."

The championship is the season-long points table. You can struggle in qualifying sometimes but still be high overall if you score points consistently.

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Concept

car setup

"I don't think it's because he's forgotten how to qualify, mate. They're missing something with the setup of the car."

“Car setup” refers to how the team configures the car for performance—things like suspension settings, aero balance, tire pressures, and brake/traction behavior. If a driver is strong historically but suddenly qualifies worse, it often points to a setup mismatch for that track or conditions.

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