The much-anticipated Newcastle 500 Supercars race has been postponed to late 2022 following community concerns over the ongoing COVID- 19 outbreak.
Supercars announced today that the Beaurepaires Sydney SuperNight will replace the Newcastle 500 as the opening event of the 2022 Repco Supercars championship, which will take place at Sydney Motorsport Park from March 4 to 6.
Supercars CEO Shane Howard cited the “current concern surrounding the number of COVID- 19 cases in Newcastle and the continuing uncertainty the virus is causing in parts of the local community.”
He claimed it was “too challenging to stage a complex multi-faceted event on the streets of Newcastle for tens of thousands of race fans in March” and that hosting “an event of that scale in Newcastle, in the middle of its CBD, requires an enormous amount of work to ensure it runs to a world class standard…”
“We have been in consultation with the City of Newcastle throughout January and understand that constructing and operating an event of this size during the current COVID period has caused concern in parts of the community.”
While the Supercars had been subject to strict COVID safe plan for its March date, Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes insisted that it was the “right decision” to postpone the event given community concern remained high.
“City of Newcastle staff have been in regular contact with Supercars regarding the local situation.”
“We all agreed that right now, and regardless of the additional precautions taken to run the Newcastle 500 safely, the community would feel more confident about the race proceeding later in the year.”
The Lord Mayor said that while the race has previously attracted visitors from all parts of NSW and throughout Australia and New Zealand, people were still hesitant to travel due to COVID and international border closures.
As a result of the enduring COVID-19 pandemic, Newcastle hasn’t hosted a Supercars round since the 2019 season finale.
According to global accountancy firm Ernst & Young (EY), each Supercars Newcastle 500 delivers an average $36.2 million in economic output and 149 jobs.
Supercars CEO Shane Howard claimed that “as a street circuit built in the heart of the CBD, the event provides enormous economic benefits to the region, and we want to ensure that happens again in 2022.”
The CEO said he was confident the race would be held successfully later in the year and thanked Supercars fans, volunteers, local businesses, Destination NSW, the NSW Office of Sport and City of Newcastle for their ongoing support.
Minister for Tourism and Sport Stuart Ayres said the NSW government was committed to supporting events across the state.
“We commend the determination and resilience of Supercars and will continue to support their efforts to deliver safety successful and spectacular motorsport events in NSW.”
“These events deliver adrenalin packed motor racing, economic and social benefits for the community and expose NSW to millions around the world.”
Fans have been assured that tickets will remain valid for the yet to be announced new date of the Repco Newcastle 500.
Maia O’Connor