Next August’s Sydney Motorsport Park round of the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship will be held under lights, with a single 300km race held on a Saturday night starting at 7pm.

It will be the first time in more than 20 years that a night race has been included in the championship calendar.

“We’ve made no secret we wanted to stage a night race next year and I am delighted to say it is now a reality that we will hold this race under lights in Sydney,” Supercars CEO Warburton said.

The existing Supercars support races at the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix will also, for the first time ever, count for championship points, while a second South Australian round will take place at the new $110m Tailem Bend facility, set to open next year.

“Tailem Bend will be a premier motor racing circuit in Australasia and one we are delighted to be making our debut at in August as part of an initial a four-year deal,” Warburton said.