Australian GT has finalised its revised 2020 schedule: three more dates have been added to make for a four-round championship. In addition to the earlier announced race weekend at Sydney Motorsport Park, races at Sandown, Bathurst and Perth complete the schedule. A fifth round remains within the realms of possibility.

“We’re pleased to be able to confirm three additional dates to that which we released a week ago at Sydney Motorsport Park,” organiser Jim Manolios confirmed. “Sandown, Bathurst and Perth will see a four-round season, however we are looking at options to add a fifth event, with a number of possible venues being canvassed, however we wanted to lock away what we had and consensus is, we have a strong program.”

The season opens in August with a weekend at Sydney Motorsport Park followed a month later by the Sandown Raceway round. In October the championship joins the Supercars Championship at Mount Panorama as support series for the Bathurst 1000. Three weeks later the circus moves across the continent to Western Australia to finish the season at Barbagallo Raceway. All rounds will see two 60-minute races.

“Ideally, we’d like to work to a five-round program, but the onset of COVID-19 and the condensed calendar has made that a big challenge for everyone,” Manolios added. “To achieve what our team have done so far and maintain our preferred venues and race lengths has been a great achievement, but we will continue the discussion with all the stakeholders with respect to adding another round, but for now, we have a great program to work with.”

State and Federal governments’ directives and restrictions could still complicate the smooth running of the season, one of those complications being the current state border closures, a particular issue with respect to Western Australia.

“Things are still in a state of flux at this stage, however we’re hoping that by September we’ll have a better indication of what will happen in South Australia and Western Australia, that said, we won’t be alone if those border closures remain in place, but regardless, at no stage will we risk the health of our teams over the potential to be racing again – we’re all keen to get trackside, but only when it is safe to do so.”

2020 Australian GT Championship

Round 1 – Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW (August 14-16)
Round 2 – Sandown Raceway, Melbourne, Victoria (11-13 September)
Round 3 – Mount Panorama, Bathurst, NSW (9-10 October)
Round 4 – Barbagallo Raceway, Western Australia (30 October-1 November)

Image by Stuart Bowling.

 
 

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