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Supercars Championship

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The Supercars Championship is a premier touring car racing category. It operates in Australia and New Zealand under FIA regulations.

V8 Supercar start 2011
V8 Supercar start 2011

The series is known by several names. It is currently called the Repco Supercars Championship. Historically, it was known as the V8 Supercars or the Australian Touring Car Championship. This sport is a global phenomenon. It is broadcast in 137 different countries. Fans flock to the tracks in massive numbers. Average event attendance exceeds 100,000 people. The Adelaide Grand Final is the most attended race in Australia. It draws more than 285,000 spectators annually.

Mark Skaife 2009 Sydney 500 Launch
Mark Skaife 2009 Sydney 500 Launch

Racing vehicles are loosely based on road-going cars. However, they are highly specialized machines. Teams build cars using a control chassis. This is a standardized frame used for all competitors. Only specific body panels are common to road cars. To keep the competition fair, officials enforce technical parity. This ensures all drivers have a chance to win. All cars use bespoke, race-prepped engines. These engines come from GM, Ford, and Toyota. The Ford Mustang uses a 5.4L Coyote DOHC V8 engine. The Chevrolet Camaro uses a 5.7L GM LTR pushrod V8 engine. The Toyota Supra uses a 5.2L 2UR-GSE DOHC V8 engine.

2011 V8s top 4
2011 V8s top 4

Race formats change depending on the specific event. Some events consist of short sprint races. Others are street races held on public roads. Two-driver endurance races are also a major part of the series. These long races are held at The Bend 500 and Bathurst.

Scott McLaughlin 2014 Sydney Motorsport Park 400
Scott McLaughlin 2014 Sydney Motorsport Park 400

The series has traveled to many international locations. It has held rounds in China and the United States. It has also visited Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. The Melbourne SuperSprint supports the Australian Grand Prix. This variety keeps the championship diverse and exciting for fans worldwide.

The history of the series began with a specific V8 formula. In the mid-1990s, the focus was on Ford Falcons and Holden Commodores.

Skaife-vp94
Skaife-vp94

In 1991, the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) faced pressure to clarify new rules. These rules aimed to create a V8-centered championship. By 1993, the class structure was officially confirmed. Class A featured Australian-produced 5.0-litre V8 Fords and Holdens. Class B included 2.0-litre cars following FIA regulations. Class C involved normally aspirated two-wheel drive cars. These different classes often competed together in the same championship events.

In November 1996, the Australian Vee Eight Super Car Company (AVESCO) was formed. This was a joint venture involving TEGA and IMG. AVESCO helped the series expand significantly. During this time, the category adopted the name 'V8 Supercars'. The series also secured new television deals. In 1998, the series expanded to the Northern Territory. A new street race in Adelaide became a festival-style event in 1999. The championship also reached New Zealand in 2001. These developments turned a local series into a massive commercial success.

Maintaining parity between different car brands has always been a challenge. In the early 1990s, Fords often had an aerodynamic advantage. Holden teams requested new wing packages to stay competitive.

Lowndes-vr96
Lowndes-vr96

To solve these ongoing issues, experts created Project Blueprint in 2003. This project was designed by Paul Taylor and Wayne Cattach. They spent two years developing a fairer formula. Project Blueprint made the wheelbase and track common to both manufacturers. It also standardized the driving position and suspension types. This led to much closer and fairer racing between Ford and Holden.

The manufacturer lineup has changed many times over the decades. Originally, only Ford and Holden competed. In 2013, new regulations allowed more brands to join. Nissan was the first new manufacturer to commit with the Altima L33. Later, Erebus Motorsport used Mercedes-Benz E63 AMGs. Garry Rogers Motorsport introduced the Volvo S60.

Todd Kelly Barbagello
Todd Kelly Barbagello

The series returned to a Ford and Holden duopoly in 2020. Ford replaced the Falcon with the Mustang in 2019. Holden competed for the last time in 2022. The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 replaced Holden in 2023. Toyota will make its official debut in 2026 with the GR Supra.

Neil Crompton 2020 Supercars launch
Neil Crompton 2020 Supercars launch
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🖼️ Images & Media (9)
File:Skaife-vp94.jpg
Skaife-vp94.jpg
File:Lowndes-vr96.jpg
Lowndes-vr96.jpg
File:Glenn Seton 1997 EL Falcon Muscle Car Masters 2011.JPG
Glenn Seton 1997 EL Falcon Muscle Car...
File:Todd Kelly Barbagello.jpg
Todd Kelly Barbagello.jpg
File:Mark Skaife 2009 Sydney 500 Launch.jpg
Mark Skaife 2009 Sydney 500 Launch.jpg
File:Scott McLaughlin 2014 Sydney Motorsport Park 400.JPG
Scott McLaughlin 2014 Sydney Motorsport...
File:2011 V8s top 4.JPG
2011 V8s top 4.JPG
File:V8 Supercar start 2011.jpg
V8 Supercar start 2011.jpg
File:Neil Crompton 2020 Supercars launch.jpg
Neil Crompton 2020 Supercars launch.jpg
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