What you need to know: Coates Hire Supercars Challenge

The Virgin Australia Supercars head to Albert Park for the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix and four non-points races.

A sweeping circuit in the best traditions of fast and flowing European-styled venues, the Albert Park layout is a public road until the Formula 1 Grand Prix hits town.

First held in 1996, the Supercars have raced every year at Albert Park except for 2007, forming a valuable part of the on-track action.

The event hosts the opening round of the 2017 FIA Formula 1 World Championship and is one of the most prestigious and glamorous international weekends on Victoria’s sporting and social calendar.

What time is it on?

The on-track action begins at 10:30am on Thursday March 24, with Supercars on track at 12:50pm for the opening practice session.

Supercars will be on track everyday of the race program, with qualifying on Thursday and four races spread across Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Click here for the track schedule.

How can I watch it?

Fox Sports will be dedicating the entire 506 channel to the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix, with every session broadcast live from Friday throughout the weekend.

Channel 10 will also broadcast the races live across the weekend.

Check here and your local guides for times.         

Where can I buy tickets?

Tickets can be purchased online here while there will be others available at the circuit via the gates.

How else can I follow it?

Supercars.com will provide all the latest news and updates throughout the weekend, while you can follow the weekend on social media with @supercars on Twitter, the hashtag #VASC or facebook.com/supercars.

Live timing and car tracking is available in the new Supercars app, available free to download on iOS and Android while times are also available on supercars.com throughout the weekend.

The numbers:

Length: 5.303 km

Direction: Clockwise

Average Speed: 164 km/h

Top Speed: 256 km/h

Fast Fact: The qualifying format has had a shake-up for 2017 and sees four 10-minute sessions on Thursday set the grid for the weekend’s four 30-minute sprints.

Race wins by driver:

Russell Ingall 8Garth Tander 7Mark Winterbottom 7Shane van Gisbergen 7Mark Skaife 6Craig Lowndes 5Jason Bright 5Fabian Coulthard 3Jamie Whincup 3Paul Radisich 2Scott McLaughlin 2Steven Richards 2Todd Kelly 2Glenn Seton 1Greg Murphy 1James Courtney 1John Bowe 1Peter Brock 1

Pole positions by driver:

Craig Lowndes 3Garth Tander 2Mark Skaife 2Todd Kelly 2Mark Winterbottom 2Fabian Coulthard 1Glenn Seton 1Greg Murphy 1Jason Bright 1Marcos Ambrose 1Michael Caruso 1Peter Brock 1Russell Ingall 1Jamie Whincup 1