Two rounds at Supercars events, three with Shannons Nationals
STORY: AARON NOONAN
IMAGE: AN1 IMAGES (DIRK KLYNSMITH)
THE newly-renamed Kumho Tyre Australian V8 Touring Car Series has confirmed a five-round calendar for 2020 including a new location for its grand finale.
The Bend Motorsport Park will host the final round at the OTR The Bend 500 Supercars endurance event in September, which will incorporate a heritage angle.
More details will be announced in due course; however early plans include an expanded Heritage class running within the broader V8TC field.
The series – known this year as the Super3 Series, a brand owned and retained by Supercars – has reverted to its original moniker and will race three times with the Shannons Nationals and twice on Supercars Championship events next season.
The series will support Supercars at Winton and The Bend while it will compete on the Shannons Nationals bill at Sydney Motorsport Park, Phillip Island and a yet to be announced venue in early July.
Recently confirming a strategic partnership with the Australian Racing Group (ARG) – the promoters of TCR and S5000 – the Kumho Series will feature on both pay and free to air television next year with further details to be announced soon.
“We’ve assembled a strong program with a diverse mixture of circuits and events,” says Category Manager Liam Curkpatrick.
“We’re going to work closely with The Bend Motorsport Park to make the final round something special, incorporating some of the sensational history that our cars already have and adding to that as well.
“There are some great cars around that we’d love to see on the track at the first ever 500-km endurance race on such fantastic circuit and after the show the series put on this year, we want to go even better in 2020.
“The Shannons Nationals have been a core component of our championship since day one and the growth seen this year showcases how quickly it’s growing. To have V8TC alongside great categories like TCR, S5000 and TCM will help bring spectators through the gate and make for great TV, too.
“This is an exciting refresh for the category and there’s more to come before the New Year starts.”
The series will retain Kumho Tyre as title sponsor and control tyre supplier. All cars in the series will remain using 17-inch Kumho tyres in 2020 with a move to 18-inch rubber to be investigated.
Young gun Broc Feeney won this year’s series driving a Paul Morris Motorsports-run Falcon FG, crowned as champion in the final round at Sandown’s Shannons Nationals round in September.
The Kumho Tyre Australian V8 Touring Car Series commenced in 2008 and has provided a welcome home to ex-V8 Supercars chassis that have finished their racing lives in the main championship and Super2 Series.
Next year will be the 13th year of the Kumho Series with 62 rounds and 186 races held since the category’s debut at Mallala in 2008.
2020 KUMHO TYRE V8 TOURING CARS CALENDAR
Round 1: Shannons Nationals, Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW – March 27–29
Round 2: Truck Assist Winton Super400, Winton Raceway, VIC – June 5–7
Round 3: Shannons Nationals, TBC, July 3–5
Round 4: Shannons Nationals, Phillip Island GP Circuit, VIC – August 21–23
Round 5: OTR The Bend 500, The Bend Motorsport Park, SA – September 18-20
