Delta Goodrem announced as Supercars brand ambassador

The Virgin Australia Supercars Championship kicked off in Adelaide today with the class of 2017 assembled and Delta Goodrem named an official ambassador of the sport.

The championship gathered at the Adelaide Oval to signal the start of the season which begins with the Clipsal 500 in the South Australian capital from March 2-5.

Multi-award winning singer songwriter Delta Goodrem was named the official ambassador of the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship while the Supercars first fulltime female driver Simona De Silvestro unveiled Harvey Norman as her primary backer.

“We are delighted Delta is joining our sport as we continue to broaden our fan base and introduce Supercars to new audiences,” Supercars Chief Executive James Warburton said.

“As Australia’s leading artist, Delta will perform at key events through the season on the Gold Coast and Newcastle.

“I am looking forward to seeing Delta perform on the starting grid at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 in October.”

Goodrem performing at last year's Gala Dinner Awards.

Goodrem said she was thrilled to play a leading role as a Supercars ambassador.

“It’s an honour to represent a sport loved by millions here at home and around the world,” she said. “I am looking forward to performing at some of the major events around the country, meeting the fans and seeing some incredible Supercar action.”

Harvey Norman will support De Silvestro for the next three years. Her striking new Nissan Altima Supercar, to be campaigned by Nissan Motorsport, was unveiled today.

“This partnership strengthens the unwavering support and absolute leadership of Katie Page and Harvey Norman for women in sport in this country,” Warburton said.

Page said Harvey Norman was proud to play our part in ensuring De Silvestro could succeed in the Supercar Series for the next three years.

"Simona is quoted as saying, 'Gender doesn't matter when you're going 225 km/h into a turn.' That captures who she is as an athlete and everything Harvey Norman looks for in a long-term partnership,” Page said.

Supercars also unveiled a ground-breaking marketing campaign for the season designed to take Supercars to a new audience by reflecting the diversity of its fan base.

“As part of our growth strategy, we’re highlighting our commitment to bringing Australians the most entertaining sporting spectacle on offer,” Mr Warburton said.

“The strength of our sport is in its wide appeal. From white to blue collar, four to eighty-four, surgeons to barristers and tradies to truckies … no sport in this country has such a broad and diverse base.”

Warburton also announced Supercars would renew its focus on developing and nurturing young talent with the renamed Dunlop Super2 Series and the creation of a Supercars Driver Academy.

Click here for Supercars.com's separate story on Super2.

The Super Utes Series makes its debut in Townsville in July in the first of five events featuring dual cab, turbo diesel SUVs with entries so far from Mitsubishi, Ford, Mazda and Holden.

Warburton said Supercars would continue its push into Asia with a number of contracts and MOUs already signed.

“Asia remains a priority as we look to grow beyond Australasia with our aim to have two permanent races in the region as part of our annual calendar,” Warburton said.

Commencing in Adelaide next month, the 2017 season includes 15 Championship events and the Australian Grand Prix, concluding with the very first Coates Hire Newcastle 500 from November 24-26.

FOX SPORTS will be the only place to see every practice, qualifying and race of the 2017 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship LIVE. Network TEN broadcasts the Clipsal 500, Townsville 400, Wilson Security Sandown 500, Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, Gold Coast 600 and the Coates Hire Newcastle 500 LIVE, and Saturday/Sunday highlights of all other Championship events.