THE Bend Motorsport Park has been confirmed to make its long-awaited debut as a Supercars enduro – but not until 2025.
It had become clear the South Australian venue was in danger of dropping off the Repco Supercars Championship calendar next year, and that has indeed occurred.
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But it’s not all bad news, with Supercars promising an endurance event at last.
“Following discussions with management at The Bend, both parties have agreed that the best outcome is to focus on 2025, where the South Australian venue will host an endurance event for the first time,” said Supercars CEO Shane Howard.
“The circuit has produced incredible moments on-track since 2018 and is well-suited for Supercars endurance racing.
“We’re all excited to see what happens on track when endurance racing debuts at The Bend in 2025.”
The Bend 500 had been pencilled in on the 2020 calendar before the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc, forcing the enduro season to be limited to just the Bathurst 1000 for three years.
Sandown and Bathurst made for a double dose of two-driver races this year.
It is unclear at this stage whether a 2025 Supercars enduro at The Bend will replace or run in addition to the Sandown 500.
“Hosting a Supercars endurance round has long been considered the holy grail for our venue and we are thrilled we have finally been able to secure this prestigious event for 2025,” said The Bend managing director Sam Shahin.
“I am naturally disappointed that a Supercars event will not be held at the best motorsport facility in Australia in 2024, however we are thrilled to have secured the coveted endurance round for The Bend in 2025.”
