SRO, which runs Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS and is tied to SRO’s global GT operations, will become the primary promoter of what will be the second-tier national series under Supercars.
It will effectively replace Motorsport Australia, which has been promoting the Shannons-backed SpeedSeries for some time, in that role.
The governing body will continue to support SRO and the new-look national series, which will feature a number of high-profile categories.
The headline acts will undoubtedly be GT3 and GT4, both run by SRO, while the likes of TCR Australia and National Trans Am are also likely to feature at at least some events.
The calendar will be the same as what SRO had already announced for next year, with six rounds and a test/media day spanning March to October, and including a trip to New Zealand.
SRO recently dipped its toe into the promoter water with its GT Festival at Phillip Island.
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“We are extremely pleased to bring SRO’s globally recognised international capabilities for national circuit racing to the Australian marketplace,” said SRO Motorsports Australia CEO Ben McMellan.
“Motorsport Australia has done a fantastic job in building the Shannons SpeedSeries into the successful product it is today, and I have no doubt that we’ll continue to build on this with the new racing series.
“It will be great to have Motorsport Australia remaining involved for future events as it offers plenty of good experience and good people, so I’d like to thank [CEO] Sunil [Vohra] and the whole team for their support and look forward to working closely with them moving forward.
“We are coming off the back of a highly successful GT Festival at Phillip Island, which is the template for how we see our future events taking place.
“Our goal is to offer premium motorsport events featuring top level brands and star drivers, while putting a significant focus on developing off track activations to complement the entertaining on-track racing.”
For Motorsport Australia, the move will potentially alleviate some financial pressure stemming from the million-dollar loss reported for 2023.
“Motorsport Australia has delivered a strong outcome for Australian racing in helping to start the transition of the national circuit series to a new platform led by SRO, who we view as one of the more successful motorsports promoters globally,” said Vohra.
“This new arrangement deals with some of the recent uncertainty and allows us to move the national circuit series into a new, exciting era. In working with Ben and the SRO leadership team, we are pleased to achieve the dual goals of having a proven promoter leading the commercial aspects of the national series and improving the financial sustainability of Motorsport Australia.
“With SRO taking the lead as event promoter, we can focus on the development of our sport, on state championships and supporting our officials at all levels.
“SRO have a proven track record internationally, and we are pleased to see the foundations of the fantastic product our team have built continue – with our support – under the expertise and commercial leadership of the SRO Motorsports Group.
“We look forward to continuing to partner with Supercars and the Australian Grand Prix as major partners, and alongside this SRO-led national racing series, we will now be consulting with State Council’s and others to provide opportunities for enhanced state championship racing.
“We will be making further important announcements in the coming days regarding the management of other key national championships.”
Provisional 2025 SRO Motorsports Australia Calendar
Official Media / Test Day, March 25: Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit
Round 1, April 4-6: Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit
Round 2, May 2-4: Sydney Motorsport Park
Round 3, June: TBC
Round 4, August 1-3: Queensland Raceway
Round 5, September 5-7: The Bend (Shell V-Power Motorsport Park)
Round 6, October 31-November 2: Hampton Downs (New Zealand)
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