Supercars has confirmed it has received 23 entries for the 2020 season as the deadline for existing Racing Entitlement Contracts to be entered passed at 1700 AEDT today.
A busy day was expected with a number of movements, including Team 18 announcing it had procured a second REC while Garry Rogers Motorsport confirmed its exit from the series.
Only one of the RECs currently in play, belonging to GRM, has been returned, while the team’s other entry is understood to be transferred to Matt Stone Racing which will expand to two cars next year.
While the championship has confirmed 23 entries have been lodged the grid is set to reach 24 at least courtesy of a new two car entry from the Sydney-based team.
It will use a REC currently owned by Tekno Autosports and purchase an entry from Supercars.
“Twenty-three cars have been entered in the 2020 Supercars Championship. An additional three racing entitlement contracts (RECs) are available for negotiation and purchase over the coming weeks, and with the already-announced second Team Sydney entry to come, the projected grid size is a minimum of 24 cars,” read a statement from Supercars.
“Supercars is, of course, disappointed to see GRM exit the Championship. Hall of Fame Member Garry Rogers has made a long and storied contribution to the sport and we wish him all the very best.
“The composition of the 2020 grid and a detailed entry list will be confirmed before the end of the year.
“The Supercars 2020 season begins in February, with the pre-season test at The Bend in South Australia on February 18 followed by the Superloop Adelaide 500 across February 20-23.”
Though unconfirmed by the team, Speedcafe.com understands the Smith family has purchased a REC to run Jack Smith as part of a four car Brad Jones Racing effort.
BJR is expected to operate four RECs including that of Tim Blanchard Racing and the Smith family.
Team 18 has picked up one of those relinquished by Kelly Racing dropping from four to two cars, with the other finding a home at Matt Stone Racing.
The full 2020 Supercars grid is likely to emerge in the coming weeks.