WINTON has held onto its round of the Supercars next year, but doubts remain over the North East circuit being able to hang onto the lucrative event beyond 2017.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Benalla Auto Club has been able to attract Victorian Government tourism funding to keep the V8s at Winton for at least another year.
Supercars Australia will announce the 2017 calendar after this weekend's Sandown 500 with Winton's round to be held on May 19-21.
But expansion into Asia and another circuit at Tailem Bend in South Australia are on the radar of the sport's governing body for 2018 which could impact on Winton.
BAC's latest three-year deal to host the V8s expired after this year's race.
Club chief executive Chris Lewis-Williams said the return of Supercars was a win for the North East.
“The Supercars event delivers significant and measurable benefits to the local economy," he said.
"This year's event delivered an $8.8 million boost to the community.
“We’re very excited we’ve been able to reach an agreement to retain the Supercars championship for next year.
"We look forward to again promoting a top-class race meeting that showcases not just the circuit, but the entire region, to a worldwide audience.
“Supercars CEO James Warburton was also instrumental in orchestrating an agreement that was mutually beneficial for all parties.
"We thank him for his support.”
Mr Lewis-Williams said Winton was a critical venue to the Victorian-based Supercars teams and Albury-based, Brad Jones Racing, which have the venue as their nominated test facility.
“For testing, the Supercars teams need a circuit that has a variety of different corners, through which they can gather data that correlates with other tracks on the calendar, and Winton offers that,” Mr Lewis-Williams said.
“The local teams will be relieved they will still be racing at the track where they test.”
Mr Warburton paid tribute to BAC for its support of the event.
“This is a great result for fans in regional Victoria," he said.
"Chris Lewis-Williams and his team have done a fantastic job to help build this iconic venue including a major resurfacing project."
A sticking point in recent negotiations between the club and Supercars had been the fee to stage the event.
Winton has only missed hosting the V8s three times since 1985.
