OFFICIAL RELEASE 05/06/20: The Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC), operators of Sydney Motorsport Park, along with key stakeholders and category managers have agreed to postpone the 16th running of the annual Sydney MasterBlast Ft. Muscle Car Masters™ in the interest of public health and safety.
With restrictions due to COVID-19 still in place for large sporting venues, and the Fathers’ Day weekend date fast approaching, it has been deemed impossible to hold such a large-scale annual event which typically sees competitor entries of around 300 teams and over 8000 spectators.
Travel restrictions, lack of track time for competitors in the lead up to the event, and financial considerations for all involved are also a factor in the decision.
“The ARDC has made this decision in the best interest of the event, the competitors, and the fans who flock every year to this historic annual event,” said ARDC CEO Glenn Matthews.
“’Safety first’ is key to all our operations at SMSP, be it motorsport or the health and wellbeing of our officials, competitors, and spectators.”
Last year, the Muscle Car Masters™ had a makeover; rebranded as the Sydney MasterBlast ft. the Muscle Car Masters™, the event went back to its traditional home of the Father’s Day weekend, saw the return of Touring Car Masters, the debut of motorbikes and superkarts, and most importantly the addition of night racing under lights.
“It was a great step forward for this hallmark event, and it is nigh on impossible to hold it with current COVID-19 restrictions,” said Matthews.
“All parties involved in the organisation and promotion of the event are in agreement: we will postpone the 2020 event to come back bigger and better than ever in 2021, under the bright beams of our 134 permanent light towers and hopefully with no restrictions on competitor or crowd numbers.”
The ARDC is focussed on the competitor, and in its stead will hold a round of the NSW Motor Race Championships. Some categories from Sydney MasterBlast may be able to enter and race alongside the NSW MRC’s usual suspects, offering up some much-needed competition track time on one of the country’s top racing circuits.
“We would like to thank our competitors, our volunteers, event sponsors, and spectators for the ongoing support and understanding, and hope to see Sydney MasterBlast back in 2021 with a full racing schedule and packed grandstand under permanent lights,” finished Matthews.