The dawn of a new era of Australian motorsport has begun and there is much to look forward to in 2020 on both the national stage and the local motorsport scenes.
With many events across all levels to take place in what looks to be a huge season, motorsport.org.au has a look at some key events to keep an eye on throughout the year.
Can Scotty go for the three-peat?
There is a lot riding on the 2020 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship as 2018 and 2019 champion Scott McLaughlin has the opportunity to join an illustrious club at season’s end.
The New Zealander has been the standout driver over the past two years, going back-to-back and securing a record-breaking 18 wins during the 2019 season.
Should the Ford Mustang pilot win a third consecutive title, he will join Jamie Whincup, Ian Geoghegan and Mark Skaife as drivers to claim three championships in a row.
With the Championship to begin with the Superloop Adelaide 500 in February, a mix of new and established drivers and new colours will form part of a highly anticipated season celebrating 60 years of the Australian Touring Car Championship.
Photo: EDGE Photographics
Loads of downforce
The LMP3 Cup makes its long-awaited debut in Australia with a five-round season as part of the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships.
The new LMP3 series won’t be the only exciting new full-time category to feature on the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championship’s impressive line-up in 2020, with S5000 Australia to run its first official season after two successful stand-alone outings last year.
S5000 Australia will hold six rounds in 2020 with the highly anticipated season opener to form part of the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championship’s first meeting for 2020 at Sydney Motorsport Park – a round which the LMP3 Cup Australia will also feature in.
New look AORC season in 2020
The BFGoodrich Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship (AORC) will enjoy a new lease on life in 2020 as two new events join the Championship, increasing it to a five-round season.
After growing in popularity in recent years due to its challenging course and significant local support, Western Australia’s Kalgoorlie Desert Race was given the tick of approval to enter the national stage, while the Can-Am Loveday 400 in South Australia was also brought into the fold.
The two new events will add to the popular three rounds already part of the calendar, headlined by the Tatts Finke Desert Race. With the Cobb & Co Hotel St George 399 to kick off the season in April and the Hindmarsh Shire Rainbow Desert Enduro to enjoy a new date in August, off road fans are certain to get their racing fix this year.
Photo: Show N' Go Photography
Formula 1 returns to Albert Park
Another year means another Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix to look forward to.
The world’s premier open wheel motorsport category will once again begin its season down under with the Albert Park street circuit to host the four-day event in March.
All the world’s biggest names will be in Melbourne for the season opener as Daniel Ricciardo looks to improve on a forgettable start with Renault alongside new teammate Esteban Ocon, while Lewis Hamilton will begin his title defence after a stellar year in 2019.
With Ferrari and Red Bull both looking to close the gap on the all-conquering Mercedes, Renault and McLaren expected to continue their intense rivalry and a number of new events to be introduced, including the Vietnam Grand Prix, the 2020 Formula season is looking to be an eventful one - and it all starts in Melbourne.
Vietnam will also be of significance to Australia, with Motorsport Australia lending its expertise in training a new crop of officials for the debutant event in April.
Bates against the rest
The 2019 Motorsport Australia Rally Championship (ARC) saw Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia’s Harry Bates secure his maiden title in style with a masterclass clean sweep of round victories.
A solid off-season for the Canberran will have him and co-driver John McCarthy inspired for another crack at the title, however there will be a number of crews looking to make their mark on the Championship and stand in his way.
Teammate and brother Lewis Bates is one of those drivers, while relative newcomer Luke Anear has come leaps and bounds since making his debut in 2018. This year, he’ll be armed full-time with his Ford Fiesta R5. Three-time ARC champion Simon Evans is also a chance to complete more rounds this year, making him another driver who could pester the 2019 champion from going back-to-back.
In 2020, the ARC will once again head to Western Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia and finish in New South Wales, with the season to open in Canberra in March with the Netier National Capital Rally.
Photo: Wishart Media
Fifth International Bathurst event to wrap up the year
There was a lot of hype surrounding Bathurst last year with the famous Mount Panorama track announcing its plans to hold a fifth event in 2020.
A joint bid between Motorsport Australia and the Australia Racing Group was eventually awarded the honour of holding the event, with an international spin intended spice up the event towards the end of this year.
A number of world class drivers from both Australia and overseas are expected to be competing in the November or December based event, with a range of categories including TCR, TA2 muscle cars, Touring Car Masters and LMP3 sports cars to feature.
Keeping it grassroots
Above all of the headline attractions in 2020, supporting it is the hundreds of local events across Australia. From Come and Try Days through to state championship events, more Australians have been enjoying introductory motorsport in recent years.