The iconic Bathurst 1000 will return to its traditional October date in 2022 as part of the 13-round Supercars championship that will start in early March and conclude in mid-November.

As Chaz Mostert and Lee Holdsworth claimed Australian racing’s biggest prize, Supercars organisers released a draft calendar on Sunday with the Newcastle Street Circuit back to host the opening event of the new year from 4-6 March.

The campaign will conclude with the 16-18 November round under lights at Sydney Motorsport Park – the venue which last hosted the Supercars finale in 2004.

Returning to the schedule is the three-day event at the Australian Formula One Grand Prix in April, night racing in Perth, the Gold Coast 500 and a trip across the Tasman for the Auckland SuperSprint.

Supercars CEO Sean Seamer said the proposed calendar was a win for motor racing fans after the challenges associated with COVID-19 during the past two years.

“The 2022 season will follow an unprecedented 24 months for Supercars in which the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in two revised calendars – a huge achievement given the nature of the sport,” he explained.

“It has been fantastic to welcome fans back to events this year.

“And, we’ll continue to ensure this is done safely and in line with national guidelines as we welcome more fans back in 2022.”

One event pencilled in for 30-31 July has been listed as TBC as discussions continue with circuit providers on the event to be held on that date.

After their official unveiling in Bathurst this week, the Gen3 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and Ford Mustang GT Supercars will turn exhibition and testing laps at various events throughout next year, as teams prepare the cars to begin racing in 2023.

2022 SUPERCARS CHAMPIONSHIP CALENDAR

• 4-6 March: Newcastle 500, Newcastle Street Circuit, NSW
• 26-27 March: Tasmania SuperSprint, Symmons Plains, TAS
• 7-10 April: Melbourne, Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, VIC
• 30 April-1 May: Perth SuperNight, Wanneroo Raceway, WA
• 21-22 May: Winton SuperSprint, Winton Raceway, VIC
• 18-19 June: Darwin Triple Crown, Hidden Valley, NT
• 8-10 July: Townsville 500, Reid Park, QLD
• 30-31 July: TBC
• 19-21 August: Sandown SuperSprint, Melbourne, VIC
• 10-11 September: Auckland SuperSprint, Pukekohe Park Raceway, NZ
• 6-9 October: Bathurst 1000, Mount Panorama, NSW
• 28-30 October: Gold Coast 500, Surfers Paradise, QLD
• 18-20 November: Sydney Super600, Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW

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