Highlights: 

·         First time V8 Supercars will stage 16 events

·         Clipsal 500 in Adelaide opens the Season

·         The Abu Dhabi event will be a full Championship round at the November 2012 Formula One Grand Prix

·         Completed upgrades of the Sandown circuit herald the return of the 500 to its traditional home

·         2012 marks the final ITM400 Hamilton in New Zealand

·         The Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 celebrates its 50th anniversary

 

V8 Supercars will stage the most Championship events on record in 2012 with more promised in following years.

There are 16 events confirmed for 2012 with a yet to be announced international race in November and V8 Supercars racing alongside Formula One in Abu Dhabi, as they do at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne each year.

Shifting the Abu Dhabi Championship races to November means the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide reclaims its place as the season opener, also shortening the season by roughly a month.

The Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 celebrates its 50th year from October 4-7. The iconic Australian race was first run back in 1963 as the Armstrong 500 at Phillip Island and in 49 years has been one of the country’s most revered sporting events.

The 500 endurance event shifts from Phillip Island back to its traditional home at Sandown Raceway in inner-City Melbourne. Phillip Island will host its event in the more weather friendly month of May.

The Tasmania Challenge, locked in for the next three years with the State Government, shifts to March before the final ITM400 Hamilton. An alternative New Zealand venue will be sought for 2013 and beyond.

 

V8 Supercar Chairman Tony Cochrane said the changes to the calendar were part of the long-term strategy of adding more international events, as well as compacting the season over time to provide more regular and frequent events.

“In 2013 we already have a confirmed race in Austin Texas which will blow the socks off our big North American fan base with at least three other potential overseas races on the cards,” Mr Cochrane said.

“It’s vital we begin planning for these possible additional races now when we piece together the dates not just for next year but many years to come.

“I think this is probably the best and most balanced calendar in the history of V8 Supercars and it will set the base for what I believe will be the most significant three to five years in our history.”

Mr Cochrane said the ultimate goal was to stage 18 events each year over 40 weeks.

 

Click for 2012 V8 Supercar Calendar