Supercars 'revitalised' as major shake-up confirmed

Supercars has confirmed the category will return to a "revitalised" Queensland Raceway for the first time six seasons.

The category last visited the Ipswich circuit in 2019, and will make the trek north as part of an expanded 13-round 2025 calendar, which was announced on Friday morning.

The season will commence with a twilight meeting at Sydney Motorsport Park in February, and will once again be on the support bill at the Australian F1 grand prix three weeks later.

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There was some speculation earlier this season Supercars' spot on the undercard was in doubt after being bumped from the pit lane for the 2024 event.

The category will also return to Taupo in New Zealand in April.

Having been left off the calendar for 2024, The Bend in South Australia will replace Sandown as the host of the traditional pre-Bathurst 500km enduro in mid-September.

Sandown will remain on the calendar, but will be a single-driver event in November.

The showcase Bathurst 1000 will be held on October 12.

Since it last hosted Supercars in 2019, Queensland Raceway has undergone significant redevelopment, particularly around the pit and paddock facilities and also public amenities buildings.

"The expansion to 13 events not only brings back Ipswich but solidifies Supercars' national and international footprint. We're incredibly excited to announce the return of the Ipswich event in 2025," Supercars chief executive Shane Howard said.

"After a few years off the calendar, we know fans in south-east Queensland have been eager for its return.

"Queensland Raceway has had significant upgrades, and the August event will be one to mark in the calendar to attend at a truly revitalised venue."

The past two Supercars seasons have had only 12 events, down from a pre-pandemic high of 15 in 2019. The 2020 season was originally scheduled for 14 events before the calendar was thrown into chaos.

Racing Australia Consolidated Enterprises (RACE, Supercars ownership group) chair Barclay Nettlefold said expansion was a "key priority" in putting the 2025 calendar together.

"It's something fans have been asking for over the last few years," he said.

"Adding the 13th event is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to growing the sport and providing more opportunities for fans to engage with Supercars in different locations.

"With plans for a Perth street circuit in place and Toyota confirmed to bring the GR Supra onto the grid in 2026 the future is an exciting one that we are proud to be delivering for fans."

Although exact details are yet to be confirmed, 2025 race formats are also expected to receive a shakeup.

2025 Supercars Championship calendar

February 21-23: Sydney Motorsport Park NSW
March 13-16: Australian F1 Grand Prix VIC
April 11-13: Taupo, New Zealand
May 9-11: Symmons Plains TAS
June 6-8: Barbagallo Raceway WA
June 20-22: Hidden Valley Raceway NT
July 11-13: Reid Park, Townsville QLD
August 8-10: Queensland Raceway, Ipswich QLD
September 12-14: The Bend Motorsport Park, Tailem Bend SA
October 9-12: Bathurst 1000, Mount Panorama NSW
October 24-26: Gold Coast street circuit QLD
November 14-16: Sandown International Raceway VIC
November 27-30: Adelaide Street Circuit SA