After an outstanding return to racing earlier this year, the 2021 Penrite Australian V8 Superboats Championship was forced to bring its schedule to a halt mid-season as the Covid-19 pandemic began to spread across the country, enforcing border closures which made continuing the program all but impossible.

Since then, increased vaccination rates have allowed the various State Governments to make decisions about opening borders once again, providing a clearer picture of how the Australian Formula Jet Sprint Association (AFJSA) could return to competition.

‘There were a number of issues to consider’ said AFJSA President Justin Roylance, ‘not least the safety of all our teams and fans. Also the logistical and financial implications to the sport and the clubs should we resume racing too soon.’

With some state borders now reopened (under set restrictions), and others looking to reopen in the coming weeks, he felt that it was clear enough now to put a plan in place to conclude the 2021 season, then start to look at options for the 2022 calendar.

The Tweed Valley Jet Sprint Club will now host the return of the 2021 program, but not until late February 2022 with back-to-back rounds (round four and five) over the weekend of 26/27. Whilst the annual Keith Diesel & Dirt Derby, which was postponed in 2021, will now host the final round on March 26.

‘This will allow us to conclude the 2021 season and crown the 2021 champions after two challenging seasons’ Roylance confirmed. ‘Then let’s keep our fingers crossed that we can all start to settle into a rhythm with how the world operates alongside the pandemic and get a full season of racing in with seven additional rounds proposed to complete the 2022 calendar.’

Whilst the Tweed Valley will play host to the return of the Penrite Series, the popular Cabarita-based venue will also host a test day on December 4, 2021, where a number of top teams, including some from the southern states, are expected to blow out the cobwebs and set themselves up for a return to competition twelve weeks later.

2021 Penrite Australian V8 Superboats Championship (Revised Calendar).

Rnd#2 – Temora, NSW – 1 May 2021 (Colin Parish Memorial)

Rnd#3 – Tweed Coast, NSW – 19-20 June 2021

Rnd#4 – Tweed Coast, NSW – 26 February 2022

Rnd#5 – Tweed Coast, NSW – 27 February 2022

Rnd#6 – Keith, SA – 26 March, 2022 (Diesel & Dirt Derby) (Final Round)