New 'international strategy' supports global expansion
New Supercars CEO Shane Howard has highlighted a return to overseas races as part of an "international strategy".
The experienced Howard was confirmed Monday as the latest CEO, and will commence in the role in February.
A key part of Howard’s long and decorated tenure in Supercars has been overseeing races held off Australian shores.
The first event held outside of Australia was in New Zealand in 2001. In the two decades since, Supercars has raced in China, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and the United States.
With Gen3 on the horizon, Howard said the return of overseas events is “very important" for the championship.
China hosted a round in 2005
"I was there at the beginning when we did our first air lift with the category to go into China, which followed on to Bahrain, Abu Dhabi as standalone and then a support category for Formula 1, and then over to the United States," Howard told media on Monday.
"That was extremely exciting.
"You saw the release of Gen3 at Bathurst... I am so excited about the Gen3 cars.
"It's a beautifully-engineered race car, it reflects the showroom look, it allows us to open up to more manufacturers. An international strategy supports all of that.
"I think that's very important for our growth and our expansion."
Abu Dhabi opened the 2010 season under lights
Shanghai hosted an event in 2005, before Bahrain made its debut in 2006. Supercars returned to the desert venue in 2007 and 2008, before making its final appearance in 2010.
Abu Dhabi opened the 2010 and 2011 seasons, before Supercars supported the Formula 1 round in late 2012.
In 2013, Supercars completed a round the new Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
The championship hasn’t raced outside of Australia and New Zealand since, but Howard - who was present for all previous overseas events - knows what it takes to return Supercars to the far corners of world motorsport.
The return to international racing has also earned the backing of new Supercars Chairman Barclay Nettlefold and Supercars Board member and Hall of Famer Mark Skaife.
Supercars raced in Austin, Texas in 2013
"I embrace supporting those options to be available, and Barclay and Mark's support to be able to really go after those opportunities," Howard said.
"Really, they've been on hold for quite a period. We've had various consultants approach us; that's not the way we did business in the past when we were very successful at securing international events.
"We did it ourselves. We're the best people to promote our category internationally.”
Pukekohe in Auckland is scheduled to host a round of the 2022 Repco Supercars Championship in September. CLICK HERE to view the draft calendar.
The 13-event 2022 season will commence in Newcastle in March. Tickets for the event are on sale now.
