Motorsport: Asian expansion still on the horizon

Jamie Whincup leads the field during qualifying ahead of V8 Supercars Sandown 500. Photo / Getty Images

Events in Thailand and Indonesia are still on the horizon for Supercars despite Asia not featuring in next year's schedule.

A 15-event calendar has been unveiled for 2017, with New Zealand's Auckland SuperSprint the only overseas Supercars round.

Supercars CEO James Warburton was hopeful the category would feature in Asia by 2018 despite being forced to dump this year's scheduled Kuala Lumpur round in August due to a legal dispute between promoters.

"Owing to these legal issues we have not included Malaysia in the 2017 calendar but we remain committed to exploring new events in Asia," Warburton said in a statement.

"There is very strong interest in the region and we believe these will be great opportunities for the sport and our fans from 2018."

An event in Sentul, Indonesia, and a street race near Bangkok, Thailand, were expected to feature in 2017 but have been put on hold for at least another year.

Dates are still to be locked in for two rounds of the 2017 calendar including the only new event - the Newcastle 500.

Newcastle will host the final round next year in November - replacing the Sydney 500 - but dates are yet to be finalised due to a potential clash with the World Rally Championship in Coffs Harbour.

"Our preferred date for the (Newcastle) event next year is November 17-19 but this won't be confirmed until the date of the World Rally Championship is known so as to avoid any clash," said Warburton.

The Supercars are also waiting on dates to be confirmed for the Australian Grand Prix where they will again contest a non-championship round as a support category.

The grand prix is expected to be held from March 24-26.

Next year's Gold Coast 600 is scheduled for October 20-22 , clashing for the second-straight year with the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island.