Tasmania to host world’s first State of Origin motor racing

Organisers say it has never happened in motorsport before — Check out the world debut bound for Symmons Plains and Baskerville >>

Tasmania to host world’s first State of Origin motor racing at both Symmons Plains and Baskerville in January next year.

UP to 10 of Tasmania’s finest motorsport drivers are about to team up for a high-speed showdown against rivals from interstate in what is believed to be a world first for circuit racing — a State of Origin series aboard Ford Mustangs at Symmons Plains and Baskerville in January.

The State of Origin contest is part of the Australian Racing Group’s four motorsport categories it will bring to Tasmania for back-to-back race weekends in January — Symmons Plains near Launceston on January 24-26 and Baskerville Raceway near Hobart on January 30-31.

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Motorsport owner Garry Rogers at the Tasmania Supersprint at Symmons Plains. Picture Chris Kidd

“State of Origin racing will be a really big thing for Tassie,” said V8 Supercar team owner Gary Rogers.

“We will have some well-known drivers from Tasmania and the mainland competing, and it will be the very first time having State of Origin racing in motorsport.

“It’s something I’m sure the fans can look forward to.”

The drivers are being kept under wraps.

“We have spoken to a whole lot of people and there is enormous interest in this,” Rogers said.

“Over the next month or two we will have more discussions, finalise our list and make it well-known who is going to race.”

Rogers, who has cars in the ATG series, raced at Baskerville in the 1970s and said it would be a worthy battleground for the Mustang races.

“It’s only a very short racetrack but one that is very rewarding if you get it right,” Rogers said.

“It can certainly go the wrong way if you don’t get it right.

“People who have not driven there before will have an experience that is just wonderful.”