MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA CHAMPIONSHIPS ANNOUNCE REVISED SCHEDULE

Motorsport Australia Championships announce revised schedule – Photo: InSyde Media

A revised four-round Motorsport Australia Championships calendar has been revealed by the sport’s governing body kicking off in August.

By HEATH McALPINE

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Motorsport Australia Championships was forced to postpone its schedule of events, but has revealed a four-event calendar that could expand further if interest from categories is high.

Sydney Motorsport Park will maintain its opening round position on August 15-16, while Sandown stays on the same weekend it was originally scheduled to be on, September 11-13.

The Bend Motorsport Park then follows on October 17-18, which will be staged on the same weekend as the Australian Rally Championship’s South Australian round. With a special stage of the rally will feature on the Saturday night program for the nationals program.

Phillip Island concludes the season on an undisclosed late-October weekend. The season could be extended with additional rounds in November and December if category and competitor interest demand is high.

Motorsport Australia Championships Director Michael Smith is pleased to reveal the revised calendar after holding discussions with category and circuit managers.

“We are really pleased to be able to announce the initial four rounds of the 2020 Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships,” Smith said.

“It’s understandably been a very difficult year for everyone, but with plenty of light at the end of the tunnel we feel now is the right time to announce our calendar, with four rounds and possibly more to take place in the second half of 2020.

“Together with our various categories, we’ll make sure that all local government restrictions are met and events run according to our detailed Return To Race strategy and follow any advice regarding social distancing and so on.

“We’d like to thank all the categories and circuit managers for their co-operation and hard work to ensure we could get these events up and running and we can’t wait to get back on track with the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships this year.”

All rounds will initially be non-spectator events until government restrictions are eased.

New additions planned for 2020 Bathurst and Morgan Park, plus Winton and the undisclosed fifth round have all been cancelled.

2020 Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships

Round 1: Sydney Motorsport Park – 15-16 August
Round 2: Sandown International Raceway – 12-13 September
Round 3: The Bend Motorsport Park – 17-18 October
Round 4: Phillip Island Circuit – October TBA

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