Songstress Delta Goodrem will become the official ambassador for the 2017 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship.

Supercars named the multi-award winning singer/songwriter as the high profile face of the sport as it seeks to broaden its reach and fan base.

With the sport gathering at the official season launch at the Adelaide Oval in the midst of a heat wave which is gripping the city, Goodrem’s appointment co-incides with confirm that she will perform at the Gold Coast and Newcastle events.

“We are delighted Delta is joining our sport as we continue to broaden our fan base and introduce Supercars to new audiences,” Supercars chief executive James Warburton said.

“As Australia’s leading artist, Delta will perform at key events through the season on the Gold Coast and Newcastle.

“I am looking forward to seeing Delta perform on the starting grid at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 in October.”

Goodrem is excited about taking on the role as ambassador for the sport.

“It’s an honour to represent a sport loved by millions here at home and around the world,” she said.

“I am looking forward to performing at some of the major events around the country, meeting the fans and seeing some incredible Supercar action.”

Goodrem’s headline announcement comes as Harvey Norman said it will lock in support for Simona de Silvestro’s first full-time season in the category with Nissan for three years.

“This partnership strengthens the unwavering support and absolute leadership of Katie Page and Harvey Norman for women in sport in this country,” Warburton said.

Supercars also unveiled a ground-breaking marketing campaign for the season designed to take Supercars to a new audience by reflecting the diversity of its fan base.

“As part of our growth strategy, we’re highlighting our commitment to bringing Australians the most entertaining sporting spectacle on offer,” Mr Warburton said.

“The strength of our sport is in its wide appeal. From white to blue collar, four to eighty-four, surgeons to barristers and tradies to truckies … no sport in this country has such a broad and diverse base.”

Warburton further announced Supercars would renew its focus on developing and nurturing young talent with the renamed Dunlop Super2 Series (formerly Dunlop Series) and the creation of a Supercars Driver Academy.

“The Dunlop Super2 Series expands to eight events this year featuring the next generation of Supercars stars and the phasing in of the next generation car,” Warburton said.

“Our next crop of young drivers – male and female – will also benefit from the introduction of the Supercars Driver Academy to be unveiled later this year.”

The Super Utes Series makes its debut in Townsville in July in the first of five events featuring dual cab, turbo diesel SUVs with entries so far from Mitsubishi, Ford, Mazda and Holden.