Get ready for an all new V8 supercars racing season. The drivers have prepared themselves and their vehicles to come back on the scene to try to win the 2011 Championship title. It’s going to be an excellent year! Will last year’s Champion James Courtney be able to defend his newly earned title against Jaime Whincup, the Champion from the two prior years who came in 2nd place in 2010?
The First V8 Supercars Championship Race of the Season
The YAS V8 400 in Abu Dhabi is going to kick off the season this year on February 11-12. Abu Dhabi is a more recent addition to the Australian V8 calendar, having followed the lead of Bahrain who was the first country in the middle east to host the race at their Bahrain International Circuit. Fans are preparing already for this season opening event. Jamie Whincup won both rounds last year; it will be interesting to see who wins in 2011.
Spring V8 Supercars Races
The Clipsal 500 Adelaide will be held on Mar 17-20. This event is the most ‘awarded’ event in the history of Australian Motor Racing. It has entered the V8 supercars Hall of Fame and remains the only event to ever have done so. Following this major event will be the ITM 400 Hamilton on April 15-17, the Trading Post Perth Challenge on April 29-May 1, and then the Winton Motor Raceway on May 20-22.
Summer V8 Supercars Races
Kicking off the summer events is the Skycity Triple Crown, Darwin race on June 17-19. Following that race is the Sucrogen Townsville 400 on July 8-10. Jamie Whincup claimed the win here last year, but the Ipswich 300 which will be held on August 19-21 was taken by James Courtney last year. On September 16-18, the L&H 500 Phillip Island race will be held as the Summer winds to a close.
Autumn V8 Supercars Races
On October 6-9, don’t miss the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000. This race is often called a favourite among drivers. Following it is the Armor All Gold Coast 600 on October 21-23. Then, the Falken Tasmania Challenge takes place on November 11-13. The last Autumn race, the Norton 360 Sandown Challenge is held on November 18-20. This is another big race that is well attended by the public since there is something for everyone with all of the entertainment that takes place during race weekend.
Winter V8 Supercars Races
The final race of the 2011 season is the Sydne Testra 500. It will be held on December 2-4. This is definitely a race you won’t want to miss, as it is the one where the Champion will be named. Last year James Courtney was crowned the Champion of the Australian V8 as thousands of his fans piled into Pit Lane for the presentation. This race is probably the most exciting of them all.
The races are made up of a combination of sprints and endurance runs. Each location offers something different, with their combination of race styles, exciting tracks, and beautiful scenery. There are fourteen championship events held and each one of them will keep you at the edge of your seat.