News
S5000 confirms revised five round calendar for 2020/21
The Australian Racing Group (ARG) is pleased to confirm a new, dynamic six-round calendar that will see its racing categories return to the track in 2020 with a season finale in early 2021.
For the VHT S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship, it means a five rounds at some of the best permanent circuits in Australia, including Mount Panorama Bathurst and a new event at Symmons Plains in Tasmania.
The revised calendar will feature a great mix of new, high profile ARG feature events, coupled with rounds of the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships, televised live and free on the Seven Network.
The inaugural Bathurst International in November at the world-famous Mount Panorama will be extended to four days, accomodating the re-scheduled Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour.
Adding to the new calendar will be a fitting season finale with another brand-new and unique ‘Festival of Motorsport’, featuring back-to-back events in Tasmania at Symmons Plains and Baskerville Raceway.
While S5000 will not race at Baskerville, it will complete demonstration runs at the 2.01km circuit north of Hobart.
Symmons Plains will host a unique three-day event, concluding on Australia Day, and just four days later.
All five S5000 rounds will be televised free-to-air on the Seven Network, including live streaming on the network’s digital offering 7plus.
2020/21 Australian Racing Group calendar
August 15-16, Sydney Motorsport Park
September 12-13, Sandown
October TBA , Phillip Island
November 12-15, Bathurst
January 24-26, Symmons Plains
Chris Lambden
Category Manager, S5000
“Five Gold Star Championship rounds at five quality venues presents a brilliant programme for S5000 to return after the Covid-19 crisis,” said Lambden.
“Sydney, Sandown and Phillip Island, followed by Bathurst in November and then a classic finale in Tasmania – which has a significant Formula 5000 heritage – will provide just about everything our teams, drivers and, importantly, fans could want. Whoever goes home with the 2020 Australian Drivers Championship trophy will have earned it in what should be a brilliant, high-quality series.
“A series that culminates at Tasmania’s Symmons Plains on Australia Day will evoke memories of a golden era of Australian and NZ motorsport back in the 1960s, when the Tasman Series used to conclude at the Longford street circuit, literally just a few kilometres up the road from Symmons Plains. Given the time of year, and the potential to run on into the early evening, it will be fantastic.
“At the same time, Tasmania has a significant heritage in Formula 5000, producing multiple Gold Star champion John McCormack, along with John Bowe, twice Gold Star runner-up in F5000, who both drove for the iconic Ansett Team Elfin marque.”
Matt Braid
CEO, Australian Racing Group
“It’s been an unprecedented crisis and its effect on motorsport all around the world has been huge,” said Braid.
“Through it all, we are really pleased that we are able to confirm a condensed, dynamic racing schedule combining fresh new events along with racing at some of Australia’s best circuits, all to be delivered into every Australian home via our broadcast partner, the Seven Network.
“Tasmania is a significant opportunity for ARG and our teams, drivers and sponsors. The roar of world class V8 powered open wheeler racing coupled with TCR and Trans Am all debuting in Tasmania at Symmons Plains and Baskerville will be a fantastic spectacle.
“We’d like to thank our categories and their teams, drivers and sponsors for their support during this trying period. I am sure it’s been both challenging and frustrating at times but I think from this has evolved a truly outstanding calendar and suite of events for 2020.”