// Workers AI · dad joke modeDid the 2002 Canberra 400 goer have a wheel good time?
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| Round 5 of 13 in the 2002 V8 Supercar Championship Series | ||||||||||||||
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| Date | 7–9 June 2002 | |||||||||||||
| Location | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory | |||||||||||||
| Venue | Canberra Street Circuit | |||||||||||||
| Weather | Overcast | |||||||||||||
| Results | ||||||||||||||
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The 2002 Canberra 400 (known for sponsorship reasons as the 2002 Stegbar Canberra 400) was the fifth round of the 2002 V8 Supercar Championship Series and the third and final running of the Canberra 400 event. It was held on the weekend of 7 to 9 June on the Canberra Street Circuit in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory.
Mark Skaife extended his championship lead by winning two out of the weekend's three races en route to taking overall round honours.[1] This weekend also featured the sole reverse grid race of the season which was won by Russell Ingall. Todd Kelly finished second overall for the weekend while Craig Lowndes claimed third.[2]
Despite having a five-year contract, the 2002 Canberra 400 event would be the last to be held and the series would not return for 2003. The main reason given for the cancellation of the contract was the amount of money being spent on the race and the lack of return compared to what was expected. Kate Carnell's initial estimation on cost blew out as the years went on, and some Canberrans believed that this money was better spent elsewhere. A report by the Auditor General of the Australian Capital Territory in 2002 summarised that the benefits of the race were overstated and costs were underestimated.[3]
Background
[edit]The event was held on the weekend of 7 to 9 June 2002. It was the third V8 Supercar event to be held on the streets of Canberra and consisted of two 100 km races followed by a 200 km final. In contrast the heat of Darwin, the Canberra event was marked by comparatively cold temperatures. The spectator attendance had dropped from 101,000 in 2000 to 89,000 in 2002, and the cold climate was cited as a key reason behind this.
Mark Skaife entered the round as the championship leader in what had been a dominant campaign, having won all four of the previous rounds and won eight out of the ten races run. The 2001 event was won by Steven Johnson.
Entry list
[edit]There were 34 drivers entered into the event with no necessitation for pre-qualifying.
Wayne Wakefield replaced Stephen White at Imrie Motorsport. It would be Wakefield's only solo appearance in the championship for the 2002 season.
Race report
[edit]Qualifying
[edit]
Top fifteen shootout
[edit]Craig Lowndes secured pole position with a time merely half a tenth faster than nearest competitor, Jason Bright. Marcos Ambrose entered the shootout as one of the favourites but heading into the bus stop, he locked the front-right tyre which forced him to stray wide and made contact with the inside tyre bundle. This inflicted damage to the front spoiler and relegated him to the bottom of the timing sheets.
Race 1
[edit]Race 2
[edit]Race 3
[edit]Championship standings
[edit]| Pos. | No | Driver | Team | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
1 | 1 |  Mark Skaife |
Holden Racing Team | 1384 |
|
2 | 15 | Todd Kelly |
Tom Walkinshaw Racing Australia | 725 |
|
3 | 51 |  Greg Murphy |
Tom Walkinshaw Racing Australia | 702 |
|
4 | 4 | Marcos Ambrose |
Stone Brothers Racing | 613 |
|
5 | 00 | Craig Lowndes |
00 Motorsport | 598 |
References
[edit]- ↑ "Super Skaife tightens grip on fifth V8 title". The Age. 10 June 2002. Retrieved 17 September 2026.
- ↑ "On This Day: The final Canberra 400". Supercars. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2026.
- ↑ "Performance Audit Report: V8 Car Races in Canberra - Costs and Benefits" (PDF). ACT Auditor-General's Office. July 2002. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
- 1 2 3 "2002 V8 Supercars Stegbar 400 (Race 1)". Racing Years. Retrieved 17 September 2026.
- ↑ "2002 V8 Supercars Stegbar 400 (Race 2)". Racing Years. Retrieved 17 September 2026.
- ↑ "2002 V8 Supercars Stegbar 400 (Race 3)". Racing Years. Retrieved 17 September 2026.
| Supercars Championship | ||
|---|---|---|
| Previous race: 2002 V8 Supercars Darwin round |
2002 Supercars Championship | Next race: 2002 Perth 300 |
| Previous year: 2001 Canberra 400 |
Canberra 400 | Next year: none |