The 2008 Shannons Nationals will kick off in earnest next month at Sydney’s Oran Park Raceway, with the series gearing up for its biggest year yet.
In its third season, the series will again host some of Australia’s best national-level motor racing and provide value-for-money entertainment for spectators across the country.
Including a supporting role at February’s Bathurst Motor Festival, the 2008 calendar contains 10 rounds across four states, with 14 different racing categories on the card at various times.
Round two will be held at Oran Park on 26-27 April, and will be followed by visits to Mallala (South Australia), Phillip Island (Victoria), Eastern Creek (New South Wales), Symmons Plains (Tasmania) and Sandown Raceway in Melbourne, which will host the season finale in November.
“We’re really excited about the 2008 Shannons Nationals,” Series Director Rob Curkpatrick said.
“Having started from scratch in 2006, we’ve enjoyed steady growth in terms of competitor numbers and spectator interest, and we’re looking to continue to build on that this year.”
“At nine fully-fledged events, 14 different categories will race with the Shannons Nationals at one stage or another this year, which is what the series is about – giving competitors and series’ a platform to compete on a national stage.”
The 2008 card will includes a wide array of machinery, ranging from the Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship – Australia’s fastest racing category – to the Biodiesel Supertruck National Series.
Saloon Cars, Commodore Cup, the Australian GT Championship, the Kerrick Sport Sedans National Series, the HQRA National Series, Formula Vee and the Australian Superkart National Series will also be regulars throughout the year.
The Shannons Nationals will also remain the home of production car racing, following the recent formation of the Australian Manufacturers Championship.
Incorporating the Australian Production Car Championship, the series will be contested over four events in 2008, following on from the recent Bathurst 12 Hour.
Interest has been strong for the new V8 Touring Car Series, which will give opportunities for owners of ex-V8 Supercars – up to and including the AU Ford Falcon and VX Holden Commodore – to race.
Shannons Insurance has signed on as naming rights sponsor of the category and Kumho Tyres will supply a control tyre, with 10-15 entrants anticipated for the opening round at Mallala in May.
“A lot of people have expressed interest in the V8 Touring Car Series, and things are looking really positive,” Curkpatrick said.
“There is a real gap in the market for these older models, and we anticipate the series will not only give owners of existing cars a place to race, but could also give young drivers a cost-effective way to learn about driving these cars.”
Also joining the Shannons Nationals in 2008 for one-off events is the popular Biante Touring Car Masters, along with state-based Porsche 944 and Historic Group N Touring Cars.
The Commodore Cup National Series, through which the likes of current V8 Supercar rising star Lee Holdsworth have progressed, is sporting new category management, following a recent restructure ahead of this year’s series.
The class is among a number within the Shannons Nationals moving forward with plans to hold ‘hallmark’ races.
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