The 2026 Dunlop Sydney 500 is set to rev up excitement as the schedule has been officially released, promising a dynamic start to the Supercars season at Sydney Motorsport Park from February 20-22. According to the announcement made on January 14, 2026, changes to the timetable will significantly improve team turnaround time.
"We’re really excited about the improvements we’ve made to the schedule for this year’s event," said a Supercars spokesperson. They emphasized the need to enhance the experience for teams while maintaining the thrilling atmosphere that fans expect during night races.
The revised schedule specifies that the Supercars sessions on Saturday and Sunday will kick off later in the day, with the first session on Saturday starting at 3:40 PM and on Sunday at 12:10 PM, compared to last year's 2:35 PM and 11:10 AM starts. This later timing reflects feedback aimed at ensuring the teams are not overwhelmed by excessively long days.
Adding to the excitement, the opening Supercars race on the evening of February 20 will be free for fans, a move that is expected to draw large crowds. "We want to encourage as many fans as possible to join us for this memorable event and celebrate the return of live racing," said the event’s organizer.
For motorsport enthusiasts, the competitive debut of the Gen3 Toyota Supra is a highlight of the event. This new model signifies a fresh chapter for the Supercars series. "It’s thrilling to see such an iconic brand making its debut in competitive racing," remarked a spokesperson from Toyota.
The detailed schedule for the event is packed with exciting sessions, starting with practice sessions for the Touring Car Masters and V8 SuperUtes on February 20, leading all the way to the final Supercars race on February 22. Following is a summary of the schedules across the three days:
Friday, February 20 - 1110-1130: Touring Car Masters Practice - 1140-1200: V8 SuperUtes Practice - 1215-1235: Toyota GR Cup Practice 1 - 1250-1340: Super2 Practice 1 - 1355-1440: Supercars Practice - 1950-2050: Supercars Race 1 (26 laps)
Saturday, February 21 - 1205-1230: V8 SuperUtes Race 2 - 1240-1300: Touring Car Masters Trophy Race - 1500-1520: Touring Car Masters Race 1 - 1935-2115: Supercars Race 2 (52 laps)
Sunday, February 22 - 0840-0900: Touring Car Masters Race 2 - 1100-1120: Touring Car Masters Race 3 - 1440-1520: Super2 Race 2 - 1605-1745: Supercars Race 3 (52 laps)
The compact schedule reflects an effective strategy to engage fans and maximize race time, an effort welcomed by the teams. As anticipation builds for the Sydney 500, the revised approach promises to create a vibrant environment for all attendees, from fans to competitors.
With the inclusion of new formats and categories, the event is expected to garner significant attention both domestically and internationally. As the Supercars season revs into full swing, this opening race at Sydney Motorsport Park stands as a pivotal moment for the history of Australian motorsport, setting the stage for an exhilarating year ahead.
