MOTORSPORT: V8 Supercars stay in Tassie until 2014

Doubts about the future of Tasmania’s V8 Super car games  round have been erased with a new three-year deal

State government’s $2 million keeps series truly national
After several months of uncertainty, Tasmania has cemented its place on the V8 Supercars calendar. Under a deal announced today the Holden and Ford series will host an annual round at the Symmons Plains circuit near Launceston until 2014.

There had been fears that the days of the championship visiting the island state would end with this year’s round on November 11-13. The state’s government, under severe budgetary constraints, appeared mid-year to have opted out of the remaining two years (2012 and ’13) of its contract with V8 Supercars Australia.

It was only late last year that former Tasmanian premier David Bartlett had announced a three-year, $1.7 million deal with V8SA.

Today V8SA said the government now had committed to contribute $2.08 million to ensure the V8 Supercars keep coming to Symmons Plains until at least 2014.

“V8 Supercars is delighted with this new agreement that will ensure our large fan base in Tassie will get their annual fix of the world's best touring cars,” V8SA’s acting chief executive Shane Howard said.

“It [the Tasmanian round] reinforces our intent to remain a truly national sport, supporting motorsport in Australia whilst also expanding our international footprint.

“The [Tasmanian] state government has listened to the people to ensure the state’s largest annual event continues at Symmons Plains, injecting significant economic benefit and tourism profile to the region.

“All through our discussions with the government and Motorsport Tasmania there was a strong will to make this happen for the state,” Howard stated.

Symmons Plains first hosted an Australian Touring Car Championship event in 1969.

The championship included Tasmania continuously until 1999, when a previous breakdown in negotiations saw it drop off the calendar until it was reinstated in 2004.

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