» VASC: Newcastle circuit layout confirmed

The running date and circuit layout for the inaugural Newcastle 500 round of the Australian Supercars Championship has been confirmed by series officials.

The maiden running of the event, which replaces Sydney’s Olympic Park round as the season’s curtain-closer next year, will take place on the weekend of November 24-26.

The waterfront street circuit’s layout has been revised to 2.6 kilometres in length, with the updated configuration shorter and theoretically faster in average speeds than the original concept layout that was revealed when the event was first announced.

The anticlockwise circuit will run through a portion of Newcastle’s central business district, while also passing local highlights that include Nobby’s Beach, the Harbour Foreshore and Fort Scratchley.

The Newcastle 500 street circuit layout has been slightly revised to a shorter and faster 2.6-kilometre configuration.

“This is a world-class circuit that will make for exciting racing for the people of Newcastle,” Supercars CEO James Warburton said.

“We can’t wait to come to Newcastle and deliver great entertainment on and off the track and showcase the city to the rest of Australia and the world.”

City officials have committed to work with local residents and businesses to minimise potential disruptions to those affected by the location of the circuit.

“Supercars has adjusted the design of the circuit to minimise disruption while still capturing everything that is spectacular about Newcastle including its famous coastline,” added Newcastle’s Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes.

“We know locals are excited about Supercars coming to Newcastle and we want to ensure this event is an outstanding success.

“With the date and track now locked in we can look forward to planning the next 11 months before the Supercars take to the streets showcasing Newcastle on a global stage.”

2017 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship Season Calendar
Date	Event	Location	Format
02-05 Mar	Clipsal 500 Adelaide	Adelaide street circuit, SA	SuperStreet
23-26 Mar	Australian Grand Prix	Albert Park Circuit, VIC	Int’l SuperSprint
07-09 Apr	Tyrepower Tasmania SuperSprint	Symmons Plains Raceway, TAS	SuperSprint
21-23 Apr	WD-40 Phillip Island SuperSprint	Phillip Island Circuit, VIC	SuperSprint
05-07 May	Perth SuperSprint	Barbagallo Raceway, WA	SuperSprint
19-21 May	Winton SuperSprint	Winton Raceway, VIC	SuperSprint
16-18 Jun	CrownBet Darwin Triple Crown	Hidden Valley Raceway, NT	SuperSprint
07-09 Jul	Townsville 400	Townsville street circuit, QLD	SuperStreet
28-30 Jul	Coates Hire Ipswich SuperSprint	Queensland Raceway, QLD	SuperSprint
18-20 Aug	Red Rooster Sydney SuperSprint	Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW	SuperSprint
15-17 Sep	Wilson Security Sandown 500	Sandown Raceway, VIC	Enduro Cup
05-08 Oct	SuperCheap Auto Bathurst 1000	Mount Panorama, NSW	Enduro Cup
20-22 Oct	Gold Coast 600	Surfers Paradise, QLD	Enduro Cup
03-05 Nov	ITM Auckland SuperSprint	Pukekohe Park, NZL	SuperSprint
24-26 Nov	Coates Hire Newcastle 500	Newcastle street circuit, NSW	SuperStreet