Supercars announces new 2020 calendar

Supercars released a new calendar on 17 April, which will see Sydney Motorsport Park restart the season on 27 June in a provisional schedule that stretches into 2021. Most of the original calendar remain. The exceptions are the Gold Coast and Newcastle street circuits, which have been cancelled, while the point-scoring Australian F1 Grand Prix round will not be restaged or relocated.

The other major change is two rounds at Bathurst. The first will be the normal 1000km enduro in its regular October slot, with the second round at Mount Panorama to be held in February, 2021, possibly in conjunction with the Bathurst 12 Hour.

All rounds except the Mount Panorama 1000 will be two-day events, not three, with shorter formats and/or single races a possibility. Minimal staff and pit crew will be in attendance, with stringent social distancing measures – as much as possible in motor racing – in place.

The return round at SMSP will be held without spectators; but whether following rounds will do the same is still to be decided. 

While the calendar is still subject to change, Supercars CEO Sean Seamer said his team had worked with all government stakeholders, commercial partners and teams on a plan to allow racing again in a safe and compliant way. That process is ongoing.

“The stringent guidelines we have developed are based on expert medical advice and the advice of our Government partners and Motorsport Australia and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of our people, teams, drivers and officials,” Seamer said. “We will continually assess the possibility of admitting fans to events based on the direction of government restrictions, including how we might be able to accommodate camping and Park & View.”

Supercars says that tickets already sold to events that have been cancelled or where fans cannot attend will be refunded.

2020 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship calendar – version 2*

 Rd01    20-23 Feb         Adelaide 500 (completed)

Rd02    27-28 Jun         Sydney Motorsport Park

Rd03    18-19 Jul          Truck Assist Winton

Rd04    08-09 Aug         BetEasy Darwin Triple Crown

Rd05    29-30 Aug         Townsville

Rd06    19-20 Sep         OTR The Bend

Rd07    08-11 Oct          Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000

Rd08    31 Oct – 01 Nov PIRTEK Perth

Rd09    21-22 Nov         Tyrepower Tasmania

Rd10    12-13 Dec         Penrite Oil Sandown           

Rd11    09-10 Jan 2021 ITM Auckland

Rd12    05-07 Feb 2021 Bathurst

 *All events from Rd02 to Rd12 are subject to change