Tassie poised to sign new Supercars deal for Symmons Plains

The State Government and Supercars Australia are close to signing a new multimillion-dollar deal to keep the supercars racing in Tasmania until 2024.

THE State Government and Supercars Australia are close to signing a new multimillion-dollar deal to keep the supercars racing in Tasmania until 2024 — well past its existing AFL deals with Hawthorn and North Melbourne.

On the eve of the 50th anniversary of supercars at Symmons Plains from tomorrow, ticket sales are ahead of the same time last year when 55,392 attended the event.

The current $6.125 million deal ends when the flag drops on the 84-lap race on Sunday afternoon.

Treasurer Peter Gutwein confirmed he was deep in discussions on a new five-year deal and it would be finalised in the “short term”.

“It’s fantastic we’ve got the V8s in town again — the event that draws the highest number of interstate and international visitors to our state,” he said.

“We are engaged in negotiating the next contract and we are looking to put in place a new five-year deal.

“I’m not going to go into our commercial arrangements with them other than to say we are confident we will be able to land a deal that’s in the best interest of Tasmania and that’s also good for supercars.”

Red Bull Holden Racing Team Shane van Gisbergen during practice at the Tasmania Supersprint at Symmons Plains last year. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

Over the past seven years, a total of 372,203 motorsport fans have attended the supercars at Symmons Plains, injecting an estimated $60 million into the state’s economy.

The Government’s deals with Hawks and the Kangaroos expire at the end of the 2021 AFL season with no guarantee of an extension for either.

Rick Kelly's Supercar is unloaded at Symmons Plains. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

Supercars boss Sean Seamer said Tasmania was an integral part of its national championship.

“We would love to keep coming back,” he said.

“Tasmania completes a national footprint for us, but it is also a very important and historic event in the championship.

“While we have the support of Tasmania and Tasmanians we would like to think we will be racing here for a long time to come.

“It’s no fluke this weekend is the 50th anniversary of supercars and touring cars at Symmons Plains.

“The people of Tasmania have supported this event so strongly, it’s the reason we keep coming back.

“With their support the Hodgman Government has been instrumental in ensuring Tasmania’s largest annual event returns each year.”

The Supercars have official practice tomorrow, and qualifying and racing both Saturday and Sunday.

Don’t miss your supercar poster in tomorrow’s Mercury