darren, Author at Octane Photography

Feb 15

by darren in Track 0 comments tags: Bathurst 12hr, Campbell, Porsche

Matt Campbell Bathurst 12hr 2026 Onboard

On-Board Lap with Matt Campbell at the 2026 Bathurst 12hr, Mount Panorama, Bathurst

Jan 25

by darren in Track 0 comments tags: Side Draft, Supercars

Side Drafting in Supercars

See how Side Drafting works in Supercars with a detailed description from Larko who explains the ins and outs of the side draft, how it works and how it can be used in the intensity of high performance motorsport!

Jan 18

by darren in The Feed 0 comments tags: MotoGP, Phillip Island

Phillip Island MotoGP Future in Doubt

Phillip Island’s long‑running Motorcycle Grand Prix is at risk, with Melbourne media reporting that MotoGP promoter Dorna Sports is pressuring the Victorian Government to relocate the event to Melbourne’s Albert Park if the contract is to continue beyond 2026. According to The Age, a government source said Dorna’s position has hardened since Formula 1 owner Liberty Media acquired a majority stake in the company last year, with a growing preference for street‑based circuits. The Victorian Government has reportedly increased its financial offer to keep the event at Phillip Island but is unwilling to commit to the extensive upgrades required to host MotoGP at Albert Park. The stalemate has prompted the South Australian Government to enter confidential discussions with Dorna about staging the race on a street circuit in Adelaide. Circuit co‑owner Andrew Fox said Albert Park residents would likely oppose a MotoGP event due to the significant vegetation removal and circuit expansion required, noting that motorcycle racing typically demands more space than Formula 1. Bass Coast Shire Mayor Rochelle Halstead reaffirmed the council’s strong support for retaining the event on Phillip Island, emphasising its economic and cultural importance. “For decades, the MotoGP has put Phillip Island on the world stage,” […]

Jan 06

by darren in The Feed 0 comments tags: Supercars, Triple Eight

Claim of Supercars aero cheating emerges

A renowned aerodynamicist has lifted the lid on what he claims was a rule-beating aero trick on the ZB Commodore Supercar. Former Formula 1 aerodynamicist Nick Wirth has revealed that he deliberately exploited a loophole in Supercars’ VCAT homologation system while developing the aero package for the ZB Commodore. Wirth, whose company Wirth Research was contracted by Triple Eight to assist with the ZB’s 2018 aero design, explained on The Hard Compound YouTube channel that he engineered the car to produce significantly more downforce in race trim than it did during homologation. VCAT — a tightly controlled, runway‑based testing process used by Supercars until the end of 2023 — relied on control brake ducts to accommodate load‑measuring equipment fitted to the suspension. According to Wirth, that detail created an opportunity. He said his team designed an aero package that would stall when the Supercars‑mandated brake ducts were fitted, ensuring the car appeared legal during VCAT. Once the race‑spec brake ducts were installed, however, the aero devices would operate normally, generating what Wirth claims was two and a half times more downforce than the homologation figures suggested. Wirth also claimed that Triple Eight was unaware of the tactic. “We used their […]

Oct 07

by darren in The Feed 0 comments tags: Percat

Nick Percat Retires

The 37-year-old has won six Supercars races since joining the series 15 years ago and will retire after the final event of 2025 in Adelaide. Nick Percat has surprised the Supercars paddock by announcing he will retire at the end of the 2025 campaign. The 37-year-old will make his last start as a full-time Supercars driver at the Adelaide 500 on 27-30 November, driving his Matt Stone Racing Chevrolet Camaro. Percat has won six championship races since making his Supercars debut in 2010, winning for the Holden Racing Team, Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport, Brad Jones Racing and MSR. He rose to prominence as a co-driver with HRT, partnering Garth Tander to victory at the 2011 Bathurst 1000, becoming only the second driver to win the race on debut. This weekend’s Bathurst 1000 will be Percat’s 15th start in the event and his last as a primary driver. “It was definitely not an easy decision because I’m still very competitive. I feel like I’m driving well and have got trophies this year,” said Percat, who has scored three podiums this season. “So it has been quite a lengthy decision, but on the flipside, when one door closes, another opens. “There was probably an opportunity to stay on […]

Sep 30

by darren in The Feed 0 comments tags: Chevrolet, Nascar, SVG

SVG Grabs First NASCAR Oval Top 10

To call Shane van Gisbergen’s rookie season in the NASCAR Cup Series a steep learning curve on oval tracks would barely scratch the surface. But on Sunday at Kansas Speedway, the road course ace finally conquered a major milestone—and he did it the hard way. Before the green flag even dropped for the Hollywood Casino 400, van Gisbergen’s No. 88 Trackhouse Racing team was hit with a series of penalties following pre-race inspection. NASCAR cited unapproved adjustments, resulting in the ejection of crew chief Stephen Doran, the loss of pit stall selection, and a stop-and-go penalty after starting from the rear of the field. Despite the setback, the three-time Supercars champion mounted a remarkable comeback, clawing his way to his first-ever top-10 finish on an oval in the Cup Series. “It was difficult to start a lap down and have that penalty,” van Gisbergen said. “But Chais Eliason, our interim crew chief, did a great job.” SVG’s race began in chaos—serving the penalty on Lap 1 and falling two laps down during Stage 1. But the New Zealander stayed focused. A free pass on Lap 91 brought him back onto the lead lap, and from there, the charge was on. […]

Sep 26

by darren in The Feed 0 comments tags: Logano, Nascar

NASCAR considering eliminating playoffs system

NASCAR Reconsiders Full-Season Format, Playoffs May Be Scrapped NASCAR is reportedly weighing a dramatic shift in its championship structure: eliminating the playoff format entirely and returning to a traditional 36-race full-season points system, according to The New York Times. This approach, last used in 2003, would mark a significant departure from the current model that emphasizes high-stakes elimination rounds. What began earlier this year as a fringe proposal has gained surprising momentum among some of the sport’s most influential decision-makers. When NASCAR’s Championship Format Committee convened in February, only one member advocated for scrapping the playoffs. By the latest meeting on September 17, that idea had garnered substantial support, with several prominent voices pushing for a return to the consistency-driven system. Still, not everyone is ready to abandon the playoff concept. Some committee members favor retaining a modified version, aiming to address long-standing criticisms while preserving the drama that playoffs bring. Proposed changes include adjusting how playoff points are awarded, increasing the value of race wins, and even reimagining the final championship round. One suggestion—a four-race finale—seeks to strike a balance between fairness and excitement. Track presidents have also weighed in, noting that fan engagement tends to spike during playoff […]

Sep 22

by darren in The Feed 0 comments tags: EWC, SERT, YART

SERT Wins Bol d’Or as YART takes EWC Title

YART Clinches 2025 EWC Title in Heart-Stopping Bol d’Or Finale The 88th Bol d’Or at Circuit Paul Ricard delivered one of the most electrifying conclusions in FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) history. In a race packed with drama and heartbreak, the Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team seized the 2025 world title by a razor-thin margin—just one point—after BMW’s championship dreams went up in smoke with less than 30 minutes remaining. SERT Dominates, But Falls Just Short Yoshimura SERT Motul once again proved unbeatable at Paul Ricard, claiming a third consecutive Bol d’Or victory with clinical precision. Gregg Black, Etienne Masson, and Dan Linfoot were relentless from the start, with Black setting a new lap record in qualifying before the trio took command of the race. Even a stop/go penalty couldn’t derail their momentum. The Suzuki squad led at both the eight-hour and 16-hour marks, earning maximum bonus points and maintaining a two-lap lead to the finish. It marked SERT’s third win of the season—yet heartbreakingly, they missed out on the championship by a single point. BMW’s Title Bid Ends in Agony For much of the race, BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team looked poised to make history. Markus Reiterberger, Sylvain […]

Sep 13

by darren in The Feed 0 comments tags: MotoGP, Pirelli

Pirelli’s MotoGP tyre test ahead of 2027 takeover

Pirelli will conduct its first MotoGP tyre test at Misano on Tuesday, 16 September, as preparations continue ahead of its entry into the championship in 2027. One of the key changes to MotoGP’s technical rule book for 2027 is the appointment of a new official tyre supplier. French manufacturer Michelin, which has been MotoGP’s exclusive tyre supplier since 2016, will hand over to Pirelli, which already produces tyres for Moto2, Moto3 and World Superbike Championship, in addition to Formula 1. The Milan-based brand will thus be responsible for all three categories of the world championship, a production challenge that has prompted a careful step-by-step approach in developing tyres to meet MotoGP standards. Since the announcement in early March, Pirelli has been working on developing a range of base tyres to begin development. Initially, a first test was planned at Aragon in early June, but the first on track running will instead take place at Misano, which is also staging the San Marino Grand Prix this weekend and MotoGP’s official test on Monday. Five test riders will be taking part in Pirelli’s first tyre test on Tuesday, each representing a different manufacturer. Those selected are Michele Pirro (Ducati), Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia), Daniel Pedrosa (KTM), Takaaki Nakagami (Honda), […]

Sep 11

by darren in The Feed 0 comments tags: McLaren, Norris, Piastri

Analysing McLaren and Piastri’s team order

McLaren’s decision to ask Oscar Piastri to relinquish second place to Lando Norris at the Italian Grand Prix has sparked debate—and not without reason. A slow pit stop for Norris allowed Piastri to jump ahead late in the race. McLaren then instructed Piastri to let Norris back through, a move the championship leader clearly didn’t appreciate but ultimately obeyed. The team cited last year’s Hungarian Grand Prix as precedent, but the comparison doesn’t quite hold. In Hungary, the undercut was so potent that Norris was guaranteed to leapfrog Piastri by pitting two laps earlier under pressure from behind. At Monza, however, the undercut wasn’t nearly as effective. Norris would have retained position if not for the botched stop. As Piastri rightly pointed out, sometimes a slow pit stop is just part of racing. This call from McLaren felt unnecessary—and worse, it feeds into the narrative of favoritism toward Norris. While McLaren has generally navigated intra-team dynamics well, this intervention seemed excessive. Not every twist of racing fortune needs to be corrected. Had Piastri gained the position purely through strategy, the team might have had a stronger case. But the slow stop was the decisive factor, and that’s racing. Piastri’s compliance […]