TASMAN SERIES TO RETURN THIS SUMMER WITH S5000

The iconic Tasman Series will return in 2021 as a new seven-race series, contested by S5000 this Summer.

Four groundbreaking races at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst International at Mount Panorama on 26-28 November, will be followed by three races around the streets of Surfers Paradise at the Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 on 3-5 December.

The winner will claim the Tasman Cup, a globally recognised prize first awarded in 1964 and one of the most iconic and renowned trophies in Australian and New Zealand Motorsport.

The schedule will also include a pair of test days prior to the back-to-back events. The second will be an exclusive twilight test session, open to the public, at Sydney Motorsport Park, from 6pm on Wednesday 24 November

The return of the iconic Tasman Series and awarding of the Tasman Cup has the full backing of Motorsport Australia and Motorsport New Zealand and replaces the previously announced Triple Crown following the cancellation of the 2021 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix.

While current conditions restrict the series to the two high-profile Australian events this year, S5000 category managers Australian Racing Group plan to expand the series to include New Zealand circuits in the future.

Originally held between 1964 and 1975, the Tasman Series was an iconic part of the Australian and New Zealand racing landscape as a host of global motorsport heroes travelled down under to take on the best from the local scene. Winners included Formula 1 legends Jackie Stewart,

Bruce McLaren, Chris Amon and Jim Clark and local Gold Star heroes like Graham McRae and Warwick Brown.

“When the Australian Grand Prix was cancelled it forced us into looking into different ways to stage a prestigious S5000 competition that included the Bathurst International and Gold Coast events,” said ARG CEO Matt Braid.

“With growing New Zealand interest in S5000 and two high-profile events that serve as a launching pad, bringing back the Tasman Series title was a no-brainer.

“Introducing an international component to S5000 has always been in the plan, but the changing landscape this year has encouraged us to do something different and innovate now.

“The awarding of the Tasman Cup for the first time in two decades comes with the full blessing of Motorsport Australia and Motorsport New Zealand and it is absolutely our plan to build this into a full Trans-Tasman series for S5000 in the future.”

Motorsport Australia CEO Eugene Arocca is thrilled to see the title of the Tasman Series return:

“Motorsport Australia is delighted to throw its support behind the re-introduction of the Tasman Series at Bathurst and on the Gold Coast,” Arocca said.

“S5000 has already proven to be a real fan favourite, and a category that is certainly turning heads as it grows in stature. It is a worthy recipient of the Motorsport Australia Gold Star and this rebooted Tasman Series is a terrific addition to the calendar.

“There are so many motorsport legends who have made a name for themselves in previous Tasman Series from years ago. We have no doubt there are plenty more talented individuals ready to etch their own name in Australian motorsport history in the months ahead.

A substantial prize money fund, with full details to be announced soon, will be on offer to the series winner and top drivers from Australia and New Zealand

Extremely competitively priced vehicle lease arrangements for the test programme and two events have been put in place by S5000 vehicle constructor, Garry Rogers Motorsport.

Both rounds will include live TV coverage, including free-to-air coverage of the Bathurst International event on Channel 7 in Australia. Sky Sports New Zealand will also broadcast both rounds while the Bathurst International will include live streaming around the world.

2021 TASMAN SERIES CALENDAR

Teams Test: Teams to coordinate test day prior to pre-event official test
Tasman Series Twighlight Test: Sydney Motorsport Park, Wednesday, November 24th (6:30-10:30pm)
Tasman Series Round 1 (4 Races): Supercheap Auto Bathurst International, Mount Panorama, Bathurst (November 26-28)
Tasman Series Round 2 (3 Races): Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500, Surfers Paradise (December 3-5)

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