The Supercars Championship
The Supercars Championship represents Australian motorsport’s pinnacle—13 teams, 26 drivers, competing in V8 and newly-added Toyota GR Supra vehicles across 14 rounds nationally and internationally.
2026 Grid Composition
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1: The dominant platform; eight teams fielding Camaros
Ford Mustang GT: Five teams running Fords
Toyota GR Supra: Historic 2026 entry; two teams (Walkinshaw TWG Racing, Brad Jones Racing) fielding Supras
Toyota’s entry marks the first Japanese manufacturer in Supercars for 30+ years, reshaping the championship’s competitive landscape.
Championship Structure
The championship runs three distinct series:
Repco Sprint Cup: September 2025–May 2026, establishing baseline championship points
Ryco Enduro Cup: Three events (Bathurst 12 Hour, Sandown 500, Bathurst 1000) combining driver skill, team strategy, and endurance
Repco Supercars Finals: Gold Coast 500, Sandown 500, Adelaide Grand Final determining the champion
2026 Schedule
Key events:
February 20–22: Sydney Motorsport Park (opening round)
April 18–20: Taupō, New Zealand
April 25–27: Christchurch, New Zealand (historic inaugural event)
October 8–11: Bathurst 1000 (season highlight)
November 27–29: Adelaide Grand Final (championship decider)
The schedule features international rounds (New Zealand) and culminates in Adelaide street racing’s championship finale.
Supporting Categories
Porsche Carrera Cup Australia
Single-model racing series featuring identical Porsche 911 GT3 Cup vehicles. It’s entry-level professional racing for drivers developing careers.
Typically 20–30 competitors racing 15–16 rounds annually. Carrera Cup graduates progress to Supercars or international categories.
Formula 3 Australia (F3 Asia)
Open-wheel racing series developing young drivers for international careers. Modern Formula 3 features purpose-built open-wheel cars with 300+ horsepower.
10–15 competitors racing 10–12 rounds annually, often supporting Supercars events.
Toyota 86 Racing Series
Single-make racing series featuring accessible, affordable competition. Toyota 86 racing appeals to younger drivers and budget-conscious competitors.
30–40 competitors across multiple regional categories provides genuine racing opportunities at lower financial entry points.
Super2 Series
Secondary tier below Supercars, featuring modified Supercars-spec vehicles. Super2 develops driver talent and provides career pathways to Supercars seats.
15–20 competitors racing 14 rounds; watching Super2 offers quality racing at lower ticket prices than main Supercars grid.
GT World Challenge Australia
International GT3 racing series featuring factory and privateer supercars. GT World Challenge features European-based manufacturers (Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, BMW, etc.) competing at Australian circuits.
Typically 25–35 cars across multiple classes; represents top-level international racing accessible to Australian spectators.
Domestic vs International Series
Pure Domestic Racing
Supercars, Super2, Porsche Carrera Cup, and Toyota 86 series are Australian-based with primarily Australian drivers and teams.
Viewing advantages:
Strong local driver connections
National TV coverage (10 Sport)
Affordable ticket pricing
Australian-specific narratives
International Series in Australia
GT World Challenge, Formula regional series, and motorcycle world championships occasionally visit Australian circuits.
Notable international events:
Bathurst 12 Hour: International GT3 competition
MotoGP: Phillip Island (motorcycle racing)
Formula 1: Historically Australian Grand Prix, now international F1 racing elsewhere
How to Follow Australian Motorsport
Broadcasting
10 Sport (Channel 10): Live broadcasts of Supercars, major support categories
Streaming: Official Supercars website offers streaming; motor racing YouTube channels provide highlights and analysis
Podcasts: Motorsport-focused Australian podcasts discuss races, drivers, and technical analysis
Social media: Teams and drivers actively engage on Facebook, Instagram, providing behind-the-scenes content
Live Attendance
Major venues:
Mount Panorama (Bathurst)—hosting Bathurst 12 Hour, Bathurst 1000
Sydney Motorsport Park—hosting multiple Supercars rounds
Eastern Creek—NSW venue hosting Supercars support categories
Albert Park—Melbourne circuit hosting Supercars rounds
Sandown—Melbourne suburb circuit hosting enduro rounds
Gold Coast Street Circuit—street racing venue
Ticket costs: General admission $50–$150/day for most events; Bathurst commands premium pricing ($80–$200).
The Competitive Landscape
2026 presents unique competitive dynamics:
Toyota’s arrival: GR Supra challenges established Chevrolet/Ford dominance
Driver movement: Established competitors transition between teams; fresh talent emerges annually
Technical evolution: New regulations and platform modifications alter competitive balance
International focus: New Zealand double-header expands Supercars’ regional profile
The Verdict
Australian motorsport offers diverse spectator experiences from grassroots Toyota 86 racing to international GT3 competition. The Supercars Championship remains the national series commanding attention; Bathurst 1000 represents Australian motorsport’s pinnacle.
For first-time spectators, starting with local circuit racing (Sydney Motorsport Park events) provides excellent value and genuine racing quality. Graduated to Bathurst or major Supercars events once you’ve experienced the motorsport culture.
The Australian motorsport scene thrives. Your next racing experience awaits trackside.
2026 Australian Motorsport Calendar Overview
| Series | Rounds | Typical Attendance | Broadcasting |
| Supercars Championship | 14 | 30,000–100,000 | 10 Sport live |
| Porsche Carrera Cup | 15–16 | Support crowds | 10 Sport select rounds |
| Super2 Series | 14 | Support crowds | 10 Sport select rounds |
| Toyota 86 | 12–16 | Regional varying | Online streaming |
| GT World Challenge | 10–12 | 15,000–30,000 | Online/specialty channels |