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SUPERCARS’ RADICAL RETURN

Supercars radical return - Image: InSyde Media

By Mark Fogarty

Supercars is planning a radical return to racing anchored by four straight events at Sydney Motorsport Park starting at the end of next month.

All five final rounds will be staged in NSW, culminating in the season-ending Bathurst 1000.

The single-state finish is aimed at beating COVID-19 border restrictions.

A proposed Gold Coast hub for teams ahead of back-to-back events at Queensland Raceway was rejected by state health authorities.

In a motorsport first, Supercars will race on four consecutive weekends at SMP from the last weekend of October through the third weekend of November.

Fans are expected to be able to attend all the events.

A mix of two- and three-day meetings will all feature night races and use the three circuit variations at the far western Sydney track.

After their extended stay at SMP, teams will move to Bathurst for the Mount Panorama finale on December 5.

After a three-month COVID-enforced break, Supercars return is planned for October 29-31 at SMP.

Further events will follow on November 6-7, 13-14 and 19-21.

There will be night racing under the track’s permanent lighting at each.

Although not officially confirmed, each event will use SMP’s different track variations.

There is the normal 3.9 km ‘Gardner’ circuit, extended 4.5 km ‘Brabham’ layout and cut-across 2.8 km ‘Druitt’ configuration.

Supercars has never used the full ‘Brabham’ track.

All the layouts feature broadcast-quality lighting.

“Sydney Motorsport Park’s various layouts and dedicated lighting will be used over the four weekends to produce a month-long spectacle,” a Supercars statement said.

“Multiple races will be held at night over the four weeks and fans can expect a variation in formats and regulations to put on the best show ever seen at Sydney Motorsport Park.”

Interestingly, NSW minister of tourism Stuart Ayres’s statement suggested only two of the four events would feature night racing.

“NSW Government’s investment in permanent lights has created the unique opportunity for fans to enjoy two weekends of thrilling night racing at Eastern Creek,” he is quoted.

The decision to ‘hub’ in NSW to finish the championship was made after efforts to establish a quarantine base on the Gold Coast failed.

The original plan was to hold back-to-back events at Queensland Raceway following a two-week isolation, followed by a move into NSW for a double-header at SMP before the Bathurst 1000.

All teams except Albury based Brad Jones Racing face at least home isolation on their return from Bathurst, which will be a six-day Supercars/ARG racing festival from November 30-December 5.

All arrangements for Supercars’ NSW-only return are subject to state health authority rulings.

The new schedule assumes that Sydney’s and NSW’s lockdown will be over by late October, once 80 per cent double vaccination is achieved.

By then, Supercars expects spectators will be allowed to attend outdoor sporting events in NSW, although almost certainly in restricted numbers.

“Fans will be welcome at all events,” Supercars said. “Ticketing details are being prepared, but fans can expect multi-event packages, family packages, park and view, grandstand and general admission options to cater for all tastes and expectations.”

Supercars supremo Sean Seamer added: “We look forward to seeing fans at all five events and will have details on those availabilities over coming weeks.”

In addition to Bathurst, at least two of the SMP rounds will be shown live by Seven as part of the free-to-air network’s commitment to telecasting six events.

While back-to-back events have been common during the pandemic, quadruple appearances at the same venue in motorsport are unprecedented.

It will be a test of Supercars’ attendance and viewing appeal, although the telecasts are unlikely to suffer with mixed day and night formats to maintain interest.

‘Hubbing’ in NSW to complete the season is a tradition-busting plan, but it is the only way in the current circumstances to fulfil Supercars’ broadcast and sponsorship commitment to 12 events.

Four of five events at the same track will be odd and less than ideal, but it will get the job done.

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