V8 Supercars set for night racing

SUPERCARS will light up Sydney Motorsport Park in its entirety after a top secret test confirmed all 3.9km of the Eastern Creek track could be safely floodlit for a historymaking night race next month.

The “SMP SuperNight 300” will now use the full length “GP Circuit’’ in a Sydney spectacular after Supercars lit up the track on Monday night for a surprise test.

In a successful bid to see V8 night racing make a fully- fledged return after a 22-year Australian absence, Holden star James Courtney was turned into a test pilot to put the full SMP circuit through a night exam.

The short format V8 event was scheduled to run on a 2.8km version of the full 3.9km SMP track but Supercars last night confirmed all 11 corners of the track would be lit up for the two-night event, beginning August 3.

“The full circuit will look absolutely incredible completely lit,” a spokesman said.

“We have sourced enough broadcast quality lighting to do the full track, which will really add to the spectacle at the track and on television.

“The test was focused on the ability to get a better reach and spread of the light, which has to be suitable for broadcast, drivers and officials.

“The light system not only works well for illuminating the track, but its range and throw mean braking areas, signage and the general vicinity will all be well covered.”

Courtney declared the test a success after going full throttle in a Holden Commodore.

“There were no dramas at all,’’ he said. “Everything went really well. I was actually surprised by how well I could see.’’

Born and bred in Penrith, Courtney said the night racing return would prove a popular product following its 22-year holiday. The last Australian V8 night race was held at Calder Park, Victoria in 1996.

The Supercars series returns next week with the Crown Bet Triple Crown in Darwin, starting on Friday.