Supercars to run under lights in expanded calendar

The Virgin Australia Supercars Championship will race under the lights for the first time in 20 years at Sydney Motorsport Park next August as part of an extended 16-event 2018 calendar.

The 2018 Championship will award points for the first time at the Australian Grand Prix and features the debut of Australia's newest permanent circuit, the $110 million Tailem Bend facility in South Australia.

The number of Championship events increases by two across a 37-week season, starting with the Adelaide 500 in March and concluding with the Coates Hire Newcastle 500 in November.

"We have added two new feature events in the Australian Grand Prix and Tailem Bend while improving our continuity and momentum through the season," Supercars CEO James Warburton said.

"Competing for Championship points for the first time at the Australian Grand Prix has been a long-term goal for our sport and we are honored to be able to do so on such an international stage.

"Tailem Bend will be a premier motor racing circuit in Australasia and one we are delighted to be making our debut at in August as part of an initial a four-year deal."

The Red Rooster Sydney SuperNight 300 will be held under lights on August 4 with a single 300km (186-mile) race in a three-hour window.

"We've made no secret we wanted to stage a night race next year and I am delighted to say it is now a reality that we will hold this race under lights in Sydney," Warburton said.

Four Dunlop Super2 Series wild-card events will be held at the Winton SuperSprint, CrownBet Darwin Triple Crown, Coates Hire Ipswich SuperSprint and The Bend SuperSprint.

Supercars also has signed agreements in place for races in Asia in the hopes of further adding to the calendar in 2019.

"We are making strong progress with our Asian promoters and are committed to these being sustainable long term rather than short-term opportunities."

The Dunlop Super2 Series returns as a points-paying event at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 on a seven-event calendar including a return to the Perth SuperSprint.

March 1-4: Adelaide 500, Adelaide*
March 22-25: Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix
April 6-8: Tyrepower Tasmania SuperSprint*
April 20-22: WD-40 Phillip Island 500
May 4-6: Perth SuperSprint*
May 18-20: Winton SuperSprint
June 15-17: CrownBet Darwin Triple Crown
July 6-8: Watpac Townsville 400*
July 20-22: Coates Hire Ipswich SuperSprint
Aug 4: Red Rooster Sydney SuperNight 300
Aug 24-26: The Bend SuperSprint
Sept 14-16: Sandown 500*
Oct 4-7 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000*
Oct 19-21: Vodafone Gold Coast 600
Nov 2-4: ITM Auckland SuperSprint
Nov 23-25: Coates Hire Newcastle 500*
*Dunlop Super2 Series