Brodie Kostecki and South Australia’s Todd Hazelwood will return to defend their AirTouch 500 crown from 11-13 September, this time aboard Dick Johnson’s iconic #17 Shell V-Power Racing Team Ford Mustang.
With less than two weeks until the AirTouch 500 at The Bend, one of the event’s biggest storylines is already taking shape as the reigning winners reunite in a bid to claim back-to-back endurance victories.
Kostecki and Hazelwood dominated last year’s inaugural AirTouch 500, delivering Ford’s first Supercars endurance race win in six years. Hazelwood led the early stages before Kostecki held off a late charge from Cam Waters to secure victory in front of a passionate South Australian crowd.
This year, the pair will tackle a very different challenge as the AirTouch 500 moves to The Bend’s new West Circuit. The shorter 3.41km layout will increase the race from 101 laps to approximately 147 laps, creating a faster-paced, more strategic contest as teams navigate the opening round of the Ryco Enduro Cup.
For Kostecki, the endurance season remains one of the highlights of the Supercars calendar.
“Endurance season is probably my favourite time of year. Todd’s a great mate of mine, so being able to share the Shell V-Power Racing Team #17 is something I really look forward to,” Kostecki said.
“It’s going to be a lot tougher on the West Circuit. There are a lot more laps and you’ll be very busy behind the wheel. The Bend has done something great by trying something different to increase the action, and I think it will provide some excellent racing.”
Hazelwood said returning to his home state and carrying the famous #17 made this year’s campaign even more special.
“We’re so keen to get back to The Bend and do what we did last year. We got to the front and never looked back,” Hazelwood said.
“It’s an absolute honour to be running DJ’s number and to have my name on the car. To be able to say I’m a race winner in the #17 Shell V-Power Racing Mustang would be a dream come true.”
The iconic number carries enormous significance in Australian motorsport, having been made famous by Shell V-Power Racing Team founder Dick Johnson, a three-time Bathurst 1000 winner and Supercars Hall of Famer.
Fans are already securing their place for the event, with camping across the precinct almost sold out. The new infield campground on pit straight is proving particularly popular, while only a handful of premium camping options remain available.
Shell V-Power Motorsport Park CEO Alistair MacDonald said the prospect of seeing the reigning winners defend their title in the famous #17 should be enough motivation for fans to lock in their tickets now.
“Watching Brodie and Todd chase back-to-back wins in Dick Johnson’s famous #17 is the kind of story you want to say you saw live,” MacDonald said.
“We’ve dropped ticket prices this year and reshaped the event so fans get even more value. My advice is simple: don’t leave it until race week.”
The AirTouch 500 takes place from 11-13 September 2026 at The Bend as the opening round of the Ryco Enduro Cup. The weekend features the Top Ten Shootout on Saturday and the 500km endurance race on Sunday, supported by Porsche Carrera Cup, Touring Car Masters, Trans Am, Aussie Racing Cars, Australian Prototype Series and POWRi Micro Speedway.
General Admission tickets start from $39, with kids free on Friday, plus free trackside parking, shuttle buses and pit paddock access included.
Tickets and camping are available now.
