Today, Supercars released the 2021 Repco Supercars Championship Calendar, which will begin at the spiritual home of Australian motor racing, Mount Panorama from 26-28 February.
The season will run between February and December, with the key takeout’s below.
- Championship begins with February 26-28 visit to Mount Panorama
- Season finale to be on the Gold Coast in December
- Repco Bathurst 1000 to be held 7-10 October
- National footprint maintained with events across six states and Northern Territory (plus New Zealand)
- Six SuperSprint events to run over two-day formats used in 2020
- Night racing returns to Sydney and Perth
- 2022 Championship confirmed to start on Newcastle street circuit
Walkinshaw Andretti United will make two trips to Bathurst, with the season opener in February, the Mount Panorama 500 and the Great Race, the 161-lap 1000km Repco Bathurst 1000 on the traditional dates of 7-10 October.
Racing returns to Perth, Tasmania, Victoria and New Zealand after COVID-19 restrictions forced changes to the 2020 calendar.
Every practice, qualifying and race session will be broadcast live in 2021 on Fox Sports and Kayo. Six events will be broadcast on the Seven Network.
Supercars CEO Sean Seamer said next year’s calendar was a win for fans and viewers following the challenges COVID-19 presented in 2020.
“It is important to us to ensure the 2021 calendar features as much certainty for fans as we can provide given the current COVID-19 restrictions in each state and territory,” Seamer said.
“We’re thrilled that next year we can deliver two events at Mount Panorama, including the season opener in February.
“We are still working with all government partners on fan limits for each event, but we are confident of strong crowd numbers across Australia and New Zealand, in line with the current loosening of COVID-19 restrictions."
The ITM Auckland SuperSprint will return in 2021, celebrating 20 years since Supercars first raced for Championship points outside of Australia. Details of a potential Auckland round, including a venue, are still being worked through with New Zealand authorities.
There is a planned six-week break around the Tokyo Olympics, before Supercars returns in spectacular style, under lights at Sydney Motorsport Park.
The Repco Bathurst 1000 and the Supercars Championship round at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix will run over four days. Four other events are slated to take place over three days, while six events will use the three race/two-day SuperSprint format introduced in 2020.
“We think having three different event formats used in 2021 will build on what we’ve learned about our racing this year, so fans can look forward to thrilling weekends every time we race."
For the first time in its history, the Championship will conclude with a spectacular finale on the streets of Surfers Paradise from 3-5 December.
While the Newcastle event will not feature on the 2021 calendar, Supercars, the NSW Government and City of Newcastle are excited to announce the street circuit will host the opening event of the 2022 Repco Supercars Championship.
The Sandown event is not currently scheduled for 2021. Sandown plays a critical role as a flex option for the category with multiple bookings through the year should other events be cancelled.
Teams will begin preparations for the 2021 Repco Supercars Championship with pre-season testing to take place at Sydney Motorsport Park on Sunday, 14 February.
Bruce Stewart - Team Principal
“It’s fantastic to have a calendar out there for 2021, and we thank Supercars, and all the relevant parties right around Australia and New Zealand for their tireless work in making it happen.
“For our season to run from February to December is a great result. It will be amazing to start our year at our spiritual home, Mount Panorama, and finish on the streets of the Gold Coast, which is always one of the best events of the year.
“Our national footprint, and our trip to New Zealand are vitally important, and we can’t wait to travel around the country again, bringing the sport to our amazing fans, and our partner group.
“We finished 2020 with some real momentum, and everyone here can’t wait to continue that on in 2021, starting at the Bathurst 500.”