Supercars will race in twilight conditions as part of changes to the schedule at the season opening Superloop Adelaide 500.

The annual Supercars curtain raiser will now see Australia’s premier series in action across all four days of the event (February 28 to March 3) with twilight sessions on Thursday and Friday before a race held in the dusk on Saturday evening.

In previous years the Thursday of the Adelaide 500 has been reserved for support categories only, but this year Supercars will host a twilight practice session with on track action set to conclude at 1845 local time.

Qualifying for the opening race of the season will also be held in twilight with the session slated to be completed at 1930.

Saturday’s Supercars race will begin almost an hour later than last year while Sunday’s showpiece will remain in its usual afternoon slot. 

It is hoped the addition of the twilight sessions will entice more fans to the event which will see the highly anticipated race debut of the new Ford Mustang Supercar.

“Staging the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship on all four days of the Superloop Adelaide 500 is a real coup,” said South Australian Minister for Tourism, Trade and Investment, David Ridgway.

“The extra practice session on Thursday is just one of the many ways we are creating more value for ticket holders. This event is not to be missed.”

Reigning champion Scott McLaughlin believes the twilight sessions will be a welcome addition to the event as he prepares to begin his title defence behind the wheel of the #17 Shell V-Power Racing Mustang.   

“It’s a dream come true to be racing the Ford Mustang in 2019. Testing so far has been successful and we can’t wait to get behind the wheel under race conditions in Adelaide,” said McLaughlin.

“The twilight sessions will provide a new challenge for all of us drivers in Adelaide. The circuit is a tough one anyway, so I’m looking forward to the additional test.

“Adelaide always delivers intense, wheel-to-wheel racing and 2019 will be no exception.”

The Virgin Australia Supercars Championship will headline the on-track activity at the 2019 event, supported by the Dunlop Super2 Series, Porsche Carrera Cup, Touring Car Masters, Aussie Racing Cars, ECB SuperUtes and Audi Sport R8 LMS Cup.

Super2, the Audi Sport R8 LMS Cup and Aussie Racing Cars will be amongst the twilight action on Thursday, while Touring Car Masters, Super2 and Porsche Carrera Cup Australia are slated for twilight sessions on Friday. 

Provisional Superloop Adelaide 500 schedule 

Thursday 28 February:

 Morning Session (9.30am – 12.30pm): 

• Aussie Racing Cars
• ECB SuperUtes Series
• Touring Car Masters
• Porsche Carrera Cup
• Audi Sport R8 LMS Cup

Afternoon Session (12.30pm – 4pm):

• Dunlop Super2 Series
• Aussie Racing Cars
• ECB SuperUtes Series
• Touring Car Masters
• Porsche Carrera Cup

Twilight Session (4.00pm – 6.45pm):

• Audi Sport R8 LMS Cup
• Dunlop Super2 Series
• Virgin Australia Supercars Championship Practice 1
• Aussie Racing Cars

Friday 1 March:

 Morning Session (9.30am – 12.15pm): 

• ECB SuperUtes Series
• Porsche Carrera Cup
• Virgin Australia Supercars Championship Practice 2
• Audi Sport R8 LMS Cup

Afternoon Session (12.20pm – 4pm): 

• Dunlop Super2 Series
• Touring Car Masters
• ECB SuperUtes Series
• Aussie Racing Cars
• Virgin Australia Supercars Championship Practice 3
• Audi Sport R8 LMS Cup

Twilight Session (4pm – 7.30pm): 

• Porsche Carrera Cup
• Touring Car Masters
• Dunlop Super2 Series
• Virgin Australia Supercars Championship Qualifying (Race 1)

Saturday 2 March:

Morning Session (9.30am – 12.30pm):

• Audi Sport R8 LMS Cup
• Virgin Australia Supercars Championship Practice 4
• Touring Car Masters
• ECB SuperUtes Series

Afternoon Session (12.30pm – 4pm):

• Aussie Racing Cars
• Dunlop Super2 Series
• Virgin Australia Supercars Championship Top Ten Shootout Race 1
• Porsche Carrera Cup
• Audi Sport R8 LMS Cup

Twilight Session (4.00pm – 6.45pm):

• Virgin Australia Supercars Championship Race 1

Sunday 3 March:

Morning Session (9.30am – 12.15pm):

• Aussie Racing Cars
• ECB SuperUtes Series
• Virgin Australia Supercars Championship Qualifying (Race 2)
• Audi Sport R8 LMS Cup
• Supercars Drivers Parade

Afternoon Session (12.20pm – 5.30pm):

• Touring Car Masters
• Virgin Australia Supercars Championship Top Ten Shootout Race 2
• Porsche Carrera Cup
• Dunlop Super2 Series
• Virgin Australia Supercars Championship Race 2