Sandown 500 returns in 2023 Supercars calendar

The racing schedule for next year has been announced and it includes the return of the traditional Bathurst warm-up.

Story: Stephen Ottley

Photo Credits: James Smith

Sandown 500 returns in 2023 Supercars calendar

Australian touring car traditionalists have had their patience rewarded with the release of the 2023 Repco Supercars Championship schedule. The Sandown 500 returns to its traditional pre-Bathurst date and the series will begin and end with high-profile street races.

The race was dropped as an endurance event after the 2019 season, but fans and co-drivers have been calling for the Sandown 500 to return in order to give teams a better chance to prepare for The Great Race.

While Sandown returns to its former glory, the series has lost its international event, with no round scheduled for New Zealand in 2023. Instead the series will run its 12 rounds around Australia and will visit every state and the Northern Territory, starting in Newcastle in March and concluding in Adelaide in November.

The 2023 season will see the introduction of the new Gen3 Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro.

Supercars CEO said the series is continuing to work with promoters in New Zealand to get the championship back to the country in 2024 and beyond at a new venue, following the closure of long-time home, Pukekohe.

“We are still in progressive talks with our counterparts there for an event in the future, however as they continue it is in the best interest of all parties involved to focus on 2024 and beyond,” Howard explained.

“We have every intention to return to New Zealand and we are confident of an announcement in the new year regarding a partnership with a new venue.”

Other notable omissions from the calendar are Winton Raceway in Victoria and Queensland Raceway, but both will be used as test circuits in January for the first Gen3 tests by teams. Supercars has invited fans to attend both test days to see the new cars in action.

While all events will be broadcast on Foxtel, only the rounds at Newcastle, Darwin, Townsville, Bathurst, Gold Coast and Adelaide will be live on free-to-air on the Seven Network.