{"id":446479,"date":"2026-01-30T03:13:15","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T03:13:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/446479\/"},"modified":"2026-01-30T03:13:15","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T03:13:15","slug":"supercars-news-fans-to-be-shut-out-of-pre-season-sydney-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/446479\/","title":{"rendered":"Supercars news: Fans to be shut out of pre-season Sydney test"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Fans
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe 2026 season will kick-off at SMP. Image: Supplied<\/p>\n

The series has confirmed to Speedcafe there will be no public access to the Sydney Motorsport Park facility for its pre-season test on Wednesday, February 18.<\/a><\/p>\n

Operational factors are said to be behind the decision, with a fleet of contractors to be on site setting up for the weekend\u2019s three-day event.<\/p>\n

Supercars is, though, offering fans free entry to the opening day of the Sydney 500<\/a> on Friday, February 20, which includes the opening 100km sprint race of the year.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a bid to ensure the season gets underway in front of a strong crowd after a modest turn-up for the inaugural Friday evening opener in 2025.<\/p>\n

The Sydney test day was open to fans last year, although access was limited to designated trackside viewing zones, with the paddock and main grandstand off limits.<\/p>\n

Supercars\u2019 Sydney test lockout will not go as far as the draconian blackout orchestrated by Formula 1<\/a> for its five-day new car shakedown at Barcelona this week.<\/p>\n

Unlike the F1 test, Supercars will provide live timing and permit media to cover the action.<\/p>\n

The day will mark the first time the five new Toyota Supras across Walkinshaw Andretti United and Brad Jones Racing hit the track among the full field.<\/p>\n

One car from each brand will have already shared Mount Panorama during the Bathurst 12 Hour event the weekend prior as part of a pre-season engine parity testing evaluation.<\/a><\/p>\n


\"\"\/
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