2024 V8 Supercars & Supports:12 Rounds Calendar inc NZ round confirmed

[theracer120]

Bottom post of the previous page:

Speedcafe reporting rumours that WAU will be bringing Toyota to the series for 2026, allegedly there will be an announcement this week:
https://speedcafe.com/toyota-linked-to-supercars-entry/

There is fevered speculation in the Supercars paddock that the Japanese giant could be on its way in to Supercars.

A significant announcement is coming this week with some sources adamant that Toyota will join Supercars, likely with its hero Supra model, in 2026.

The team being linked to the project is Walkinshaw Andretti United.

The Walkinshaw Group already has links to Toyota, with WAU fielding an entry in the TGRA GR Cup and its automotive arm responsible for right-hand conversion work on the Tundra.

WAU switched from Holden to Ford for the start of the Gen3 era, having chased Toyota – among others – as part of efforts to bring in a third marque.

Few details of this potential Supercars program are known, however should it be confirmed it would be a significant moment for the championship.

Would be a boost for the series if it does actually happen. There's been plenty of rumours of other manufacturers coming in that hasn't eventuated. WAU does seem like the most likely to bring a new brand in (they got close with Jaguar or BMW) and I'd imagine that maybe one or two other teams would join them.

[Everso Biggyballies]

Speedcafe reporting rumours that WAU will be bringing Toyota to the series for 2026, allegedly there will be an announcement this week:
https://speedcafe.com/toyota-linked-to-supercars-entry/

There is fevered speculation in the Supercars paddock that the Japanese giant could be on its way in to Supercars..

The team being linked to the project is Walkinshaw Andretti United.

Would be a boost for the series if it does actually happen. There's been plenty of rumours of other manufacturers coming in that hasn't eventuated. WAU does seem like the most likely to bring a new brand in (they got close with Jaguar or BMW) and I'd imagine that maybe one or two other teams would join them.

WAU have always had this hankering for a third party involvement in terms of a new team so this sort of fits their agenda. I guess there are many ways it could work and many it couldnt. Im not sure if the NASCAR Toyot arrangement would show some sort of a template that could be beneficial,. Im particularly thinking engine here being as at the end of the day with the Gen 3 set up the chassis / tub would be as they have now with the Ford.... bar provision for a different engine and different body panels glass etc..

That in turn would make it more attractive for any other teams to jump across from Chev or Ford. I guess a lot depends on what Toyota are prepared to do in terms of making the engine up to scratch with the Ford and Chev motors currently in use.

I guess the major downside is that we will be back to square 1 with Parity with another facet in the equations. Without doubt though I agree it would be a major plus for the. series, and it would be nice if just for once the ongoing from Gen 2 days rumours not having a happy ending.
Happy ending would be good.
Having to live through all the Parity shit again wont be. That aspect actually is my biggest negative in a sea of positives.

By all accounts we wont have long to wait to hear more on the subject.

[Everso Biggyballies]

Speedcafe reporting rumours that WAU will be bringing Toyota to the series for 2026, allegedly there will be an announcement this week:
https://speedcafe.com/toyota-linked-to-supercars-entry/

There is fevered speculation in the Supercars paddock that the Japanese giant could be on its way in to Supercars.

OFFICIAL AND CONFIRMED.Toyota announces 2026 Supercars entry

The world’s biggest car maker, Toyota, will enter the Supercars Championship in 2026 with its GR Supra model.[/b]

That was a pretty well kept secret untl yesterday in terms of it being an active and bubbling rumour. Its been 20 years since the Toyota V8SC rumour first came up. Congrats to Ryan Walkinshaw) for pulling it off after talking about this mystery potential 3rd manu to come in. It seems not so long ago I recall reading of an absolutely no way type rebuff from Toyota! Or thats whaat I seem to remember. Maybe I got it wrong.

The new Supra looks pretty sweet too. A big boys Toyota 86! Wonder what the race version will end up looking like.
Im sure there will be some fun when it comes to getting the engine parity sorted. ..... the Toyota effort will revolve around a 5 litre version of the all alloy quad cam Lexus GT3 V8. A fairly pokey bit of gear.



In fact here is a Gen 3 Clay mockup which doesnt look much different.

A clay model of the Gen3-spec Toyota GR Supra with Supercars CEO Shane Howard (from left), Walkinshaw Andretti United director Ryan Walkinshaw, RACE chair Barclay Nettlefold, and Toyota Australia vice president sales, marketing and franchise operations Sean Hanley.

WAU will act as the homologation team for the project, while a second squad is being sought as part of a five-year, four-car commitment from the automotive giant. The GR Supras are set to compete with a five-litre version of Toyota’s 2UR-GSE all-aluminium, quad-cam V8 used in the Lexus GT3 car.

Toyota Australia has already begun initial design work on the GR Supra Gen3 through its own in-house design team, based at Altona, Melbourne.

At the heart of the deal is Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations Sean Hanley.

“At Toyota, we have been toying with the idea of competing in Supercars for more than 20 years and now with the right car, the right team, and a very strong partnership with the Repco Supercars Championship, the time is definitely right,” Hanley said.

“This is truly an historic moment.

“Our GR brand and performance cars were built on the knowledge that we gain from participating in top-level motorsport and our entry into the Supercars Championship will cement that connection and give us the opportunity to showcase Toyota Gazoo Racing excitement to a wide audience of passionate fans.”

The news is an incredible boost for Supercars, 18 months into use of its Gen3 platform that ushered in the Chevrolet Camaro and latest model Ford Mustang.

Supercars has been a two-marque championship since Nissan exited its seven-year participation at the end of the 2019 season.

The category has long coveted Toyota involvement, given the brand’s size and relevance in the market.

[Vassago]

Sure enough, the news has been made official already. I believe Toyota will do better than Volvo?

https://www.supercars.com/news/breaking ... h-gr-supra

[MonteCristo]

Good news for the series. Supercars have been rather anaemic since the failed manufacturer expansion a few years ago.

Smaller calendar.
Smaller grid.
Worse TV coverage.

Hopefully it's a boost.

[Everso Biggyballies]

Probably not of interest or use to the more involved Supercars fans, but for those fringe Supercars fans these rough details of the ins and outs of the Toyota sudden change of heart and reasonings for their involvement might help.

Interesting that the final change of mind was more due to the passing of the Holden v Ford Tribal confrontation and those days were seen as a "Two is company 3 is a crowd" scenario.

Toyota and Supercars: Everything you need to know
Toyota's announcement that it will enter the Supercars Championship is a major moment in the history of Australian motorsport.
Here’s everything you need to know about the landmark news, all in one place.

When will Toyota join the championship?
Toyota will enter the Supercars Championship for the start of the 2026 season.

Which model will Toyota race?
The company has selected its two-door GR Supra sportscar.
Like with the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro, the body will be draped over Supercars’ control Gen3 platform and its aerodynamic package tuned for parity with the incumbents.

What about the engine?
While the Supra is sold with a three-litre, six-cylinder engine sourced from BMW, the Supercar will compete with a version of Toyota’s 2UR-GSE, all-aluminium, quad-cam V8.

A 5.4-litre variant of the engine features in the GT3 racer of Toyota’s luxury brand Lexus. Toyota has initially indicated a five-litre capacity for the Supercars example.

Which teams will race Toyotas?
Walkinshaw Andretti United has been selected as Toyota’s homologation team and will field two Supras from 2026.

Toyota has made a commitment of at least four cars and says it’s searching for a second team.

Chevrolet squad Team 18 is already being linked to a possible Toyota switch, due to owner Charlie Schwerkolt having strong ties with Toyota through his Waverley Forklifts empire.

The Toyota announcement included confirmation that current WAU drivers Chaz Mostert and Ryan Wood are contracted to the team through 2026, meaning they will be among the first Gen3 Supra drivers.

Will the grid expand for Toyota?
Although Supercars has not ruled out an expansion of the grid, this appears unlikely. Supercars runs on a franchise system known as Teams Racing Charters and there are currently 24 in the market.

Why would WAU leave Ford?
Apart from any direct financial incentives, WAU has coveted being a Homologation Team, joining Triple Eight (Chevrolet) and Dick Johnson Racing (Ford) with that status.

Homologation teams work directly with Supercars on the technical package for each model, representing all squads running that brand.

Walkinshaw was the homologation team for Holden from the late 1980s through to 2017, when it lost the GM deal to Triple Eight. It attempted to purchase the Ford engine program at the end of 2023 but lost out to DJR.


How long has Toyota committed for?
Toyota has declared the Supercars program to be a minimum five-year commitment, running from 2026 to 2030.

Why is Toyota joining now?
Toyota has explored entering Supercars before but did not wish to weigh in as a third-wheel in the ‘tribal’ Holden versus Ford battle.

Times have changed in Supercars and in the road car market, where Toyota is now battling against many challenger brands, including from China.

Supercars gives Toyota the chance to connect with ‘heartland’ customers and push the GR (Gazoo Racing) moniker that adds sporting credentials to its overall image.

Who are the key players?
Toyota Australia’s Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations, Sean Hanley, was front and centre at the media reveal.

Hanley is a big supporter of motorsport. He was the CEO of Lexus Australia when it explored entering Supercars and became the category’s Safety Car supplier in 2015.

Speaking at the announcement, Hanley also pointed to Neil Crompton as being instrumental in Toyota’s journey. Crompton is a long-time Toyota brand ambassador and the category manager for the GR Cup series.


Has any work on the project already been done?
Toyota has undertaken initial design work via its in-house team based in Altona, Melbourne. Supercars has also been part of the project to date, with WAU now set to have more involvement.

When will we see the first Supercars Gen3 Supra?

A 40 percent clay model was on display at a media reveal of the Toyota Supercars deal on the Gold Coast on Tuesday. Toyota aims to have a 1:1 model at the Bathurst 1000, but when a full race car will be complete is unclear.

Has Toyota raced in the Bathurst 1000 before?
Yes. Toyota has a long history of being a class contender in the Great Race from the late 1960s to the early 90s, mainly with its Corolla nameplate, taking numerous wins.

The Celica was also raced in the late 1970s and early 80s, most famously by RaceCam pioneer Peter Williamson, while Supras were on the grid in the Group A era between 1984 and ’92.

The last time Toyotas competed in the Bathurst 1000 was the 1998 Super Touring race, where the Carina, Corolla, Corona and Camry models were all raced by privateers.


Will the Toyota GR86 series continue?
Yes. Toyota has affirmed it’s committed to running the GR Cup and new second-tier TGRA Scholarship Series through until at least the end of 2026.

The one-make class and its role in developing current Supercars talents such as Will Brown and Broc Feeney was emphasised at the launch.

What do Ford and GM think?
Both manufacturers have welcomed Toyota to the grid, despite in Ford’s case losing one of its best-performing teams to a rival brand.

The reception is a far cry from when Toyota explored an entry with the Avalon some 20 years ago and the two ‘Aussie’ brands campaigned to keep them out.

The three already face-off in NASCAR, where Toyota races the Camry model against the Mustang and Camaro in the Cup Series and fields a Supra-branded machine in the second-tier Xfinity.

.https://speedcafe.com/supercars-news-to ... an-hanley/

[Everso Biggyballies]

Hehehe saw this and it made me chuckle given PremiAir still has a 2025 vacancy.

Who knows, not so sure about a full time but maybe a wildcard Bathurst, I know one of DannyRics boes to tick having driven a couple of V8SCs in demos.

[Everso Biggyballies]

Talking of the PremiAir vacancy it seems Stanaway is set to be confirmed for that.

Must admit that I am not a huge Stanaway fan although he does come up with some good drives on occassion.. However Matt Payne has made him look very average this year, again with notable exceptions (that I cant think of!). Too many ordinary races in between though. Maybe I am being harsh because I was never a fan.

Other names were mentioned as potential to replace Slade..... with the shortlist believed to have included Mark Winterbottom, Jayden Ojeda and Scott Pye.

The silly season isn’t quite over yet though, with movement still possible within Brad Jones Racing’s four-car line-up.

Winterbottom in particular has been linked to a BJR seat ever since news broke that he’ll be replaced at Team 18 by Anton De Pasquale.

Anyway from Speedcafe re Stanaway.

Stanaway is poised to snare the seat currently held by Tim Slade, who last week announced his impending retirement.

PremiAir had for months been exploring options to replace Slade, chasing and missing out on a series of drivers including reigning champion Brodie Kostecki.

Stanaway emerged as a leading contender for the drive shortly after Kostecki’s move to Dick Johnson Racing was announced.

The 32-year-old Kiwi had been in the market since July, when Grove Racing made a surprise call to replace him with Super2 star Kai Allen in 2025.

Stanaway is poised to snare the seat currently held by Tim Slade, who last week announced his impending retirement.

PremiAir had for months been exploring options to replace Slade, chasing and missing out on a series of drivers including reigning champion Brodie Kostecki.

Stanaway emerged as a leading contender for the drive shortly after Kostecki’s move to Dick Johnson Racing was announced.

The 32-year-old Kiwi had been in the market since July, when Grove Racing made a surprise call to replace him with Super2 star Kai Allen in 2025.

[Everso Biggyballies]

Full Throttle Dreams - Episode One

Albury based Matt Chahda Motorsport is preparing to mix it with the big guns at the Bathurst 1000.

Full Throttle Dreams is a docuseries currently in the making that will capture the Chahda team’s journey - ‘Driven by Passion, Fuelled by Family.’

And now we have Episode 2

This episode documents the team’s journey through its official test days, including a helping hand from Brad Jones Racing’s Macauley Jones.

[Vassago]

Good news for Sandown?

https://www.motorsport.com/v8supercars/ ... /10660049/

Supercars track Sandown gets a reprieve after board changes
After years of uncertainity, Sandown now has a clear future as a new chairman of the board is elected
Phil Branagan
Oct 3, 2024, 12:21 PM
Upd: Oct 3, 2024, 12:23 PM

The historic Sandown Park motor racing track in Australia has been given a reprieve from the developers.

The track, which for more than 60 years has hosted motor racing and horse racing in the same Melbourne suburban location, has had its medium-term future assured after a change in the make-up of the Melbourne Racing board on Thursday.

John Kanga was voted in as the new MRC chairman at a special board meeting, after the resignation of former vice chairman Nick Hassett. The board oversees the horse racing activities at Sandown and other Melbourne horse racing tracks at Caulfield and Mornington.

Kanga and his new board are opposed to selling the 112 hectare site for the development of up to 7000 new homes in the Melbourne suburb of Springvale. Currently houses are located less than 150 metres from the circuit.

These residential development plans had previously threatened the future of the circuit.

As a car and motorcyle racing venue Sandown has been at the forefront of the sport in Australia since its opening in 1962.

Before Formula 1 came to Adelaide in 1985, Sandown was prominent in the Tasman Series and first hosted the Australian Grand Prix in 1964, when it was won by Jack Brabham.

In 1968 the Sandown GP winner was Jim Clark, in 1972 and '73 (both Graham McRae), 1976 (John Goss) and 1978 (McRae). A temporary extension saw the 3.1km track lengthened to 3.88km so it could host rounds of the World Sportscar Championship in 1984 and 1988.

The track has also hosted the traditional 500km Supercars endurance race, which was won last month by Will Brown and Scott Pye for Triple Eight.

The board changes mean Sandown will avoid the same fate as the Pukekohe Park Raceway in New Zealand.

Motor racing activities at the famous Kiwi circuit ceased in April 2023 after owner Auckland Thoroughbred Racing elected to expand its horse training activities.

It means that New Zealand was absent from the Supercars calendar in 2023, before returning this year with a new event at Taupo International Motorsport Park.

[MonteCristo]

In the long term, it's still stuffed. Money always wins in the end. Some developer will eventually grease council's palms, etc. Not to mention NIMBYs.

But hopefully the old girl has a few more years left in her.

[MonteCristo]

Supercars reveals expanded 2025 calendar

Sydney February 21-23
Melbourne March 13-16
Taupō April 11-13
Tasmania May 9-11
Perth June 6-8
Darwin June 20-22
Townsville July 11-13
Ipswich August 8-10
The Bend September 12-14
Bathurst October 9-12
Gold Coast October 24-26
Sandown November 14-16
Adelaide November 27-30

https://www.supercars.com/news/supercar ... f-download

[Everso Biggyballies]

Supercars reveals expanded 2025 calendar

Sydney February 21-23
Melbourne March 13-16
Taupō April 11-13
Tasmania May 9-11
Perth June 6-8
Darwin June 20-22
Townsville July 11-13
Ipswich August 8-10
The Bend September 12-14
Bathurst October 9-12
Gold Coast October 24-26
Sandown November 14-16
Adelaide November 27-30

https://www.supercars.com/news/supercar ... f-download

So, looking at the venues, as hinted we have Ipswich ('Quinnsland' Raceway) as an extra round joining the same venues as this year. Sandown gets the hinted reprieve is the other notable one. No Phillip Island and no overseas nasties other than Taupo in NZ. The Bend continues and will by all accounts be an enduro round along with Bathurst..

What is yet to be confirmed is the format of all the rounds, ie Sprint and enduros. These are basically the dates allocated to the venues. The actual format is apparently to be confirmed during Bathurst next week.

There have been hints that the season will be split into three segments.

Unofficial reports indicate the season will be split into 3 segments.....a version has seen of the calendar that includes three distinct parts, starting with a Sprint season that takes in Sydney Motorsport Park, Albert Park, New Zealand, Tasmania, Perth, Darwin, Townsville and Queensland Raceway.

There is then the Enduro portion, which is The Bend and the Bathurst 1000, followed by a Finals series that includes the Gold Coast, Sandown and Adelaide.

Talk ahead of this year’s Sandown 500 that Supercars was looking closely at having series within the series – and potentially even multiple champions.

That talk involved a Finals series, although whether it is a full, NASCAR-style Playoffs format or simply a branding exercise for the last three rounds is unclear.

What seems clear is that there are again two enduros, Bathurst obviously, but with the Bend having been promised an enduro event. Rumours are that Sandown, whilst continuing to be called the Sandown 500 will become a weekend of 2x250klm races for single drivers.

The finale at Adelaide is also causing some rumours with it not referred to as the Adelaide 500 for 2025 as this year.

So it is a list of venues with actual formats to be confirmed perhaps at Bathurst.

So from a Victorian POV (the home of most of the teams) no PI no Winton, with just the silly 10/12 lapper multi races of the Grand Prix weekend and the potential loss of the Sandown 500 as a 2 driver enduro event.

Wait and see how it washes out. The Finals format hinted for the final three races in concept horrifies me. That it has been spoken of as NASCAR style playoff is I hope just nasty rumour..

[Everso Biggyballies]

OK More info on the proposed "Playoffs" mentioned above: It sounds horribly NASCAR like....

I will wait tp pass judgement until we know for sure but this is an update on above. It seems to confirm Sandown as a single driver non enduro round, and part of the "Final Playoffs segment.

I cant help but think this is all to do with trying to find a way of enhancing their renewal of the existing and expiring end 2025 Bradcast deal.

Scary shit.. Im far from excited about this. I dont see the problem of the championship format we have. If it aint broke dont fix it.
At the end of the day I dont really worry about the championship shit beyond an interest, so as long as the racing is good and not compromised I will be happy. There does seem to be a lot of wank factor involved.

It’s understood the Finals tag is more than just a branding exercise for the last three events and will take inspiration from NASCAR’s ‘Playoffs’.

Supercars’ version is expected to include the top 10 drivers in the championship standings after the Bathurst 1000.

Three drivers are to be eliminated from contention after the Gold Coast and three more after Sandown to create a four-driver Adelaide finale.

The full 24-car field will still take part in all Finals races, regardless of whether or not they remain in championship contention.

It’ll mark the biggest shake-up to the structure of the Australian Touring Car/Supercars Championship since it moved from a single event to a series in 1969.

NASCAR has run various iterations of its current Playoffs since 2004 and adopting a similar system has long been mooted for Supercars.

The Supercars version is expected to be far simpler than NASCAR, with qualification based on points only and no ‘win and you’re in’ provision.

Supercars’ new three-part calendar is also expected to see Sprint and Endurance ‘champions’ crowned, the latter effectively marking a return of the Enduro Cup.

The winners of the Sprint and Enduro divisions will likely receive bonus points at the start of the Finals, giving added importance to those titles.

Intriguingly, it’s unclear exactly what race format the Adelaide finale will run to, having been flagged simply as ‘Adelaide Round’ rather than its usual ‘Adelaide 500’.

Supercars’ move to refresh its calendar structure comes as it enters the final year of its current broadcast rights agreements with Fox Sports and Seven.

Sandown was set to lose its place on a 12-event schedule before being slotted in as a single-driver round in November, giving Supercars the three-event Finals structure it needed.

https://speedcafe.com/supercars-news-fi ... laide-500/

[Vassago]

It's a bad idea all around but I get why the series wants to do it. Kostecki's title run almost happened by chance last season aka nobody expected him to beat the usual suspects but it's back to Triple 8 hoodoo this season and there is little genuine excitement involved. Mostert lost too many points earlier in the season, Feeney is anything but the next Whincup, I mean he has wins but also bad races and Brown is Mr. Reliable which should be enough barring a Bathurst DNF. The new gen cars are what they are, the whole parity drama was a PR disaster no matter how sweeping under the rug happened, McLaughlin & SVG bolted for American scene, there's nobody to build the PR around now. No offense but Brown and Feeney ain't it while Mostert & Waters are veterans of the series so you can't magically make them happen anymore. It doesn't bother me personally but it's clear the series if getting desperate for something to happen. Not much personality to raise the stock and even Kostecki's feel-good title story ended up flat once the whole Erebus clown show emerged.