2013 ITM 400 Auckland

The 2013 ITM 400 Auckland was a motor race meeting for the Australasian sedan-based V8 Supercars Championship. It was the third event of the 2013 season and took place over four 100 kilometer races. Following the collapse of the Hamilton 400, this event marked the return of Pukekohe Park Raceway to the schedule and was the first running of the Auckland event since 2007.

The weekend saw the emergence of future champion, Scott McLaughlin, who captured his first win in the category after debuting full-time earlier that year. This year also saw the introduction of the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy; an award presented to the driver with the highest accumulated point total from the event. The inaugural trophy would be won by Jason Bright. It was an emotional win for Bright and his team, Brad Jones Racing. Richards had driven for the team and remained an integral part of the outfit before his passing.

Not long after the V8 Supercar category started racing in New Zealand in 2001, Pukekohe's place on the calendar had remained in question. From 2004, alternative venues were explored, eventually culminating in the series leaving the Franklin venue for a street circuit in Hamilton from 2008 onwards. However, with the event reportedly costing the Hamilton ratepayer upwards of $40 million to host the event, the resulting friction between the local government and event organisers ultimately led to the series leaving the city after the 2012 event.^[1] In a bid to have the series return to Auckland, a race at Whenuapai airbase was explored for 2013 onwards. However, these plans never materialised, leaving negotiators back at square one and the series' future in New Zealand, once again, unclear.^[2]

After extensive talks regarding improvements to track facilities, a five-year agreement was penned between V8 Supercars, the Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development (ATEED), New Zealand Government, Auckland Council and Counties Racing Club, to have the championship return to Pukekohe Park Raceway for 2013. Improvements to the circuit included track resurfacing, enhanced viewing areas and an additional overhead bridge between the hairpin and pit entry. The armco barriers around the circuit, which were a major source of contention regarding circuit safety, were replaced by concrete barriers, fit with catch fencing, left over by the now-defunct Hamilton event.^[3] Perhaps the biggest change made to the circuit ahead of its return was the introduction of a chicane on the back straight. This was initiated to arrest the high speeds of the cars, as well as create more overtaking opportunities. The cost of all aforementioned changes to the circuit totaled $6.6 million.^[4]

Drama struck early as Whincup was eliminated from contention early owing to a puncture on the front-right tyre. He was forced to pit, ceded the lead to Winterbottom and emerged from the pitlane in last place. To pour salt on the wounds, he was then issued a drive-through penalty for speeding in the pitlane. Meanwhile, Premat was issued a 10-second time penalty for a false start.

On lap 12, Winterbottom's commanding lead was evaporated after his rear-left tyre exploded on the back straight. This misfortune gifted the lead to McLaughlin, much to the adulation of the local crowd. The excessive debris left from the tyre explosion warranted a safety car and thus limited the damage time-wise for Winterbottom. As the race resumed, McLaughlin sought to put as much distance between himself and the chasing pack. Premat was still yet to serve his penalty but for the time being remained a rear-gunner for his teammate. This lasted for only a couple laps, after which time, Premat speared off into the escape from at turn five. It was soon revealed that the brake pedal had gone to the floor and was forced to retire from the race. This left Bright free to chase after McLaughlin.

Tander strayed wide at turn three and lost third place to Lowndes. James Moffat was shuffled down the order when he slid off the track at turn three. McLaughlin withheld the pressure from Bright and came home to win the first race at Pukekohe since its return to the V8 Supercar calendar. This was also McLaughlin's first win in the category and Garry Rogers Motorsport's first win in since the 2010 Sydney 500.

Confusion reigned immediately as Fabian Coulthard jumped the start while Lee Holdsworth didn't move at all owing to a clutch issue. Coulthard's jump resulted in a ten-second penalty while Whincup and Lowndes scrapped for the effective lead of the race. The race remained relatively placid until lap 14 when Tim Slade spun off at turn one and was stranded on the circuit at turn two. He stalled and couldn't re-fire his car, thus resulting in a safety car.

When the race resumed, drivers jostled for position. A battle between Reynolds and Tander borked Bright who came under attack from van Gisbergen. The Tekno Autosports driver completed the move into turn one. But once they reached there, multiple drivers - including van Gisbergen, Bright, James Courtney and McLaughlin - spun off the track. Meanwhile, Winterbottom completed a move on teammate, Will Davison, and began his charge after the Triple Eight cars. Courtney's car was beached in the gravel trap and warranted a second safety car period.

Whincup took the affirmative lead from Coulthard shortly after the restart. Under pressure from Winterbottom, Lowndes slid off the track at the new chicane and fell out of the top ten. With a handful of laps to go, the gap between race leader Whincup and Winterbottom had come to nothing. On the final lap, Winterbottom attempted a move down the inside into the new chicane. However, he locked his rear brakes, careened into the side of Whincup's car and spun down the order. Whincup retained his lead all the way to the flag with Davison in second and Tander third.^[8][9]

• After 9 of 36 races.

• Note: Only the top five positions are included for both sets of standings.