Weekend Double In Darwin

Darwin is finally confirmed with two weekends of Supercars action in 2020.

Speculation about the timing and format for the second meeting in the Darwin double-header is finally ended as Supercars confirms it will be a weekend event.

The final hurdles in the timing – from marshalling to emergency services and broadcast details – have been cleared despite clashes with the Northern Territory election and a major AFL game.

The official date for Darwin2 is August 22-23 and there will again be 4500 spectators, suitably COVID isolated from the Supercars paddock, on each day.

It is officially known as the CoreStaff Darwin SuperSprint with the usual three sprints and, mirroring the format from Sydney Motorsport Park, both days will be raced only on soft-compound Dunlop tyres.

“It’s been quite a journey to get here due to the many challenges thrown up by COVID-19. Excitement is now building,” says Tim Watsford, CEO of the NT Major Events Company.

The build-up to Darwin1 this weekend is already underway with Shane van Gisbergen heading for his 400th Supercars start and the traditional Supercars transporter convoy to the heart of Darwin on Sunday morning.

Speculation on the 2020 calendar now shifts to proposals for a new double-header at Queensland Raceway in September, ahead of the Bathurst 1000.

Although there are many details yet to be finalised, including potential financial support from the Queensland Government, races at QR have definitely been discussed by Supercars and the team owners.

Race News has seen details of the proposed calendar to Bathurst and it includes the first QR race weekend on September 19-20 and a return appearance on September 26-27.

The QR move would also allow the travelling Supercars circus to bunker-down at their Gold Coast hive workshops to complete their pre-race preparation work before The Big One at Bathurst on October 11.