David Reynolds faced off against former Olympic sprinter Matt Shirvington this past Friday morning at Sydney Motorsport Park, marking the opening event of the 2025 Supercars Championship season. The unique contest involved the Bathurst champion racing his 600-horsepower Chevrolet Camaro against Shirvington, who was once hailed as Australia's third-fastest sprinter, over a distance of 30 meters.
Reynolds has been competing in the Supercars Championship since 2007, amassing eight wins and 46 podium finishes. Shirvington, now 46 and co-host of Sunrise, represented Australia at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and boasts international acclaim as a bronze medalist. This race posed both thrilling excitement and humor, as it showcased the intriguing match-up of man versus machine.
The race, broadcast live on Sunrise, was initiated after Reynolds humorously challenged Shirvington, asking, "When someone came to you and said, 'I need you to race Shirvo in a car when he's on foot over 30 metres', is this the most random thing you've ever been asked?" Reynolds replied, "Pretty much." excitable viewers tuned in to witness the spectacle.
Shirvington himself agreed it was quite the unusual race, implying the heavy car would require more than just speed to start. He joked, "This is my theory, so I've broken it down. It's man versus machine, right? Because you've got a car, and I'm a man. But, at the very beginning, it's man versus man," he said, recognizing the unique challenge involved.
Both contenders prepared for their roles; Reynolds, accustomed to the coordination and maneuvers required for racing, spoke of his strategies: "The first 30 metres is probably the hardest thing... because it's heavy, it's got 600 horsepower, skinny tyres…" He acknowledged the difficulty tied to the initial acceleration from the start line.
On the other hand, Shirvington's sprinting tactics anchored their competition. The race unfolded on the Brabham Straight, where Reynolds’ vehicle loomed as both intimidating and exhilarating. Off the start line, Shirvington took off with lightning speed, but the discrepancy of power soon became evident as Reynolds' Camaro roared to life, overtaking Shirvington as the finish line approached.
Despite Reynolds surpassing Shirvington, the tension of the outcome led to playful inquiries and remarks post-race. "I don't care I lost, my hamstrings are intact, my Achilles is intact," Shirvington laughed, recounting the fun of the competition with characteristic Australian humor. He had just returned to sprinting, following years away from the track, and was delighted to participate, regardless of the outcome.
Reynolds echoed Shirvington's sentiments, combining light-heartedness with the competitive spirit inherent to races, saying, "I hope I don’t get too bad of a start tonight," as the Supercars championship loomed on the horizon.
This race, albeit informal, set foundations for the excitement of the upcoming 2025 season, emphasizing themes of camaraderie, sportsmanship, and the thrill of competition. With Supercars gearing up for another exhilarating season, Reynolds, as one of its seasoned drivers, remains poised for action, ready to tackle the tracks, starting from Sydney.
Looking forward, the Supercars championship will return to Sydney Motorsport Park with anticipation and gusto, (broadcast live and free on Channel 7) promising another riveting season with intense rivalries and spectacular performances. Fans are ready for more, knowing the stakes and speeds are only getting higher as the season progresses.