The championship has sea freighted its fleet of 24 cars to and from New Zealand in each of the last two seasons.
That move was made to avoid the high cost of air freight but has resulted in large waiting periods on either side.
This year’s extension of the NZ sojourn to a double-header across Taupo and Christchurch meant the championship did not race in Australia for over two months.
Supercars chairman and interim CEO Barclay Nettlefold confirmed to Speedcafe that the championship is currently evaluating freight options for 2027.
“We are certainly cognisant of the issue of the gap between going there and coming back,” Nettlefold said of New Zealand.
“We’re working with government and stakeholders as we speak on how we can rectify that and minimise the gaps.”
Buy tickets
Nettlefold said the championship is looking at a “hybrid model” – indicating a combination of sea and air freight.
The early part of the 2027 calendar is set to be impacted by a later date for the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix, which is expected to be pushed back a month to early April.
Equipment not required for the Albert Park sprint races could be sent by sea in advance, which would allow the full fleet of cars to fit within a single aircraft.
Such a plan would lessen the downtime between the AGP and the New Zealand double-header while minimising the cost increase.
News of a potential transport shake-up follows Nettlefold’s declaration that he hopes the championship will expand to 15 rounds next season.
That would allow the return of Phillip Island, which has not hosted a Supercars round since 2019.
However, Supercars is yet to thrash out a deal with teams to extend the calendar beyond the 12 rounds stipulated in the Teams Racing Charter.
Supercars expanded to 13 rounds in 2024 and 14 this year following protracted negotiations over payments.
Discussion about this post