Photo: V8SC media

Changes to V8 SuperCars calendar

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There have been two changes to the 2008 V8 SuperCars championship calendar. The calendar now includes 15 rounds, of which is one a non-championship round at the Australian Grand Prix. One of the changes is having the race at Oran Park as the last race of the season. The race at the Sydney track is a historic venue, but after 38 races at the track, starting back in 1971, next years race will be the last one as the track closes down.

“We wanted to do something special for Oran Park and the people of Sydney,” V8 Supercars Australia Chairman Tony Cochrane said about moving the race to the final round. “Oran Park might be ageing as a facility but it is still one of the most spectator friendly tracks in the country. This is a one-off move to give one of the great circuits the appropriate send-off.”

To make the race a truly special event, the organisers are planning to bring back all the winning cars and drivers from the past 37 years. “We will invest heavily along with Oran Park into making this an event not to forget. The place has so much history and culture we really want to send it out with a big bang,” Cochrane said. “We would also like to think that in 2009 Oran Park as one of the oldest track in the country can be replaced by the newest – a street circuit around the Sydney Olympic Park Precinct. There are still strong plans for Homebush and I believe we are edging closer to convincing the State Government that it is a winner. What better way for Sydney to finally give the Championship a truly world class event.”

The other change will be that Phillip Island will host the first of two endurance races next year. Sandown Raceway will revert to a sprint round format for 2008. “Phillip Island is undergoing constant refurbishment and upgrade including the latest extension of the pit lane facilities which make it even more attractive for our teams and fans,” Cochrane commented.

V8 Supercars will also make its debut in Hamilton New Zealand next year on a brand new circuit. The 2008 Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series will mirror the Championship Series with the exception of the stand-alone race at Wakefield Park from April 4-6.

The 2008 V8 Supercar Championship Series calendar

February 21-24: Clipsal 500, Adelaide
March 7-9: Eastern Creek, Sydney
March 13-16: Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne (non-Championship)
April 18-20: Hamilton, New Zealand
May 9-11: Perth, WA
June 7-9: Sandown Raceway, Melbourne
July 4-6: Hidden Valley, Darwin
July 18-20: TBA
August 1-3: Winton, Victoria
September 12-14: Phillip Island, Victoria
October 9-12: Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, Bathurst
October 23-26: Indy 300, Gold Coast
November: 6-8: Desert 400, Bahrain
November 21-23: Tasmania Challenge, Launceston
December 4-7: Oran Park, Sydney

The 2008 Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series:

February 21-24: Clipsal 500, Adelaide
April 4-6: Wakefield Park, NSW
June 7-9: Sandown Raceway, Melbourne
July 18-20: TBA
August 1-3: Winton, Victoria
October 9-12: Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, Bathurst
December 4-7: Oran Park, Sydney