INTERIM Supercars CEO Barclay Nettlefold has revealed that the planned street circuit in Perth is set to open the 2028 season.
In an interview with Jess Yates in the Supercars Christchurch broadcast, when pressed on the sport opening the season with a major event, Nettlefold noted that the new WA fixture is in the box seat to start the season.
“Western Australia, we’re earmarking as a future one, come 2028,” he noted.
“(We’re) working with the government there now in regards to a new entertainment complex they are building in the heart of the city, that’s going to be exciting.”
In November last year, the Western Australian Government revealed plans for the new multi-purpose precinct named ‘Perth Park’.
The centrepiece of the plan was a 12-turn, 3.4 km-long FIA Grade 3 temporary street circuit, incorporated into a broader parkland area and featuring several community assets.
After the Adelaide 500 opened the 2020 schedule, the first event of the calendar has moved to New South Wales.
In 2021, the Mount Panorama 500 saw Bathurst bookend that season, while in 2022, the Sydney SuperNight kicked off the year.
Newcastle led off the 2023 calendar before returning to Bathurst in 2024, with Sydney Motorsport Park launching both the 2025 and ’26 seasons.
Nettlefold also opened up on James Warburton’s exit from the company, which came as a shock to many within the industry.
“There was a line in the sand that appeared where James wanted to go in one direction, and the board was looking at a different route, and we agreed to an amicable parting,” said Nettlefold.
“It was all good, he left on good terms, and the sport moves on.
“And we thank him for what he did in his short period of time with the sport.
“I love the sport now, I’ve invested into it heavily with a group of people, and I’m committed to help lead it until we find the right leader.
“I’ve got lots of strong relationships with all team owners, drivers, and sponsors, so I’ll just keep helping until we find the right person.
“With the investment that we’ve put into Gen3, it’s enabled it to be viable for manufacturers to come into it now in the model of our racing, at a price that’s not expensive, but the power of the marketing, and the awareness that they are getting.
“Toyota were just blown away, they said we just can’t get any better value for money than being in this sport.”
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