The journal
D Series Cup ·25 May 2026 ·5 min

Winton: records fell, and what they actually cost

Round 2 of the Cup was the fastest grid we have ever put on a track. A look at the laps, the tyres, and the bill.

Two seasons ago the idea that a D-series grid could break into the low fives at Winton would have been a joke. On Saturday it happened twice.

The Unlimited cars are getting genuinely serious now, and you can feel the series maturing around them. But the part I am proudest of is the Limited class, naturally aspirated, street tyres, factory glass, and still within a few seconds of cars with twice the budget.

That gap is the whole point. The Cup works because the slow way up the order is still a way up the order. Nobody is priced out of being competitive.

Ringwood next. Hillclimb. Completely different test, and I cannot wait to see who adapts.

JC

Jonathan Chow

Building & breaking cars since 2010

Read next

The rotary tax, and why I keep paying it