The Supercars Championship is planning a return to New Zealand in 2021, with a focus of reviving the ANZAC round in April. 

However the 2020 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship revised calendar has been updated to finish in December, which means the previously mooted events in January 2021 at The Bend in South Australia, New Zealand and a second event in Bathurst do not feature.  

Supercars CEO Sean Seamer said the update to the revised calendar has been made following weeks of discussions with key stakeholders including broadcast partners and team owners.  

“When the draft calendar was released four weeks ago, our primary objective was to ensure we returned to racing as soon as possible,” Seamer said.   

“This allowed us to put a stake in the ground and ensure we returned to the track quickly following the COVID-19 shutdown.  

“The calendar announced in May was based on the best information we had at the time.  

“With an eye on 2021, teams and broadcast partners have agreed it is in all parties’ best interests commercially and competitively to finish this year’s campaign in December and start the new season in the New Year.”  

The final round of the 2020 Championship will be under lights at Sydney Motorsport Park on 12-13 December.   

“The ITM Auckland SuperSprint is a major drawcard on Auckland’s annual events calendar. Following discussions over recent weeks, it has become clear to all parties that an event in January could not go ahead due to the effects of COVID-19.” 

“While there are many details to be worked through, Supercars is actively engaged in discussions with ATEED around the return to New Zealand in 2021. 

“We are committed to include the Auckland round in the 2021 calendar which is due to be released in October.” 

The Sandown event shifts from December to September, returning to its traditional pre-Bathurst calendar position.  

All events remain subject to change based on appropriate State, Territory and Federal regulations as they continue to be updated in response to COVID-19 and otherwise.

The rescheduled 2020 calendar is now as follows:   

Already staged:  

• Superloop Adelaide 500 20 - 23 February  

• Beaurepaires Supercars Melbourne 400 Formula 1® Rolex Australian Grand Prix 12 - 15 March  

To be staged: 

• BP Ultimate Sydney SuperSprint 27-28 June   

• Truck Assist Winton 18-19 July   

• BetEasy Darwin Triple Crown 8-9 August   

• Townsville 29-30 August  • Penrite Oil Sandown 19-20 September   

• Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 8-11 October   

• PIRTEK Perth 31 Oct – 1 Nov   

• Tyrepower Tasmania 21-22 November   

• Sydney Motorsport Park 12-13 December   

Details regarding next year’s full 2021 Championship calendar are due to be released in October.  

“As was the plan for 2020 before COVID setbacks, we envisage the 2021 calendar to include a break over winter months,” Mr Seamer said.  

“These are challenging times for all sport, which is why we have had to remain flexible with our calendar arrangements and make significant changes to support key stakeholders.  

“In 2021 we plan to return to New Zealand, The Bend and street circuits.  

“Our goal now is to make sure that we deliver some amazing racing over the rest of the 2020 championship.”  

Primary support category, the Dunlop Super2 Series, will also alter its revised calendar.   

DS2 races are now scheduled to feature on the undercard at Winton, Sandown, Mount Panorama and Supercars’ season finale at Sydney Motorsport Park in December.  

Supercars return to racing at Sydney Motorsport Park on 27-28 June with three 130km sprint races, broadcast exclusively live on Fox Sports and Kayo. 

PAUL GLOVER
SUPERCARS Media Manager
D +61 7 5630 0311
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