The local event will also see a format change, with longer 200km races held on both Saturday and Sunday.
The date for next year's Winton SuperSprint has been confirmed by the Benalla Auto Club (BAC) as the Queen's Birthday long weekend (June 5 to 7).
There had been speculation the local race was on the chopping block, with the Supercars looking to slim down its calendar by at least two races.
But it was Phillip Island and Queensland Raceway who were the two events unlucky not to be included in next year's line-up.
BAC Group chief executive officer Chris Lewis-Williams said confirmation the Supercars would return to Winton would come as welcome news to the wider community.“Having the Supercars on the program is important not only for Winton Raceway, but for the whole north-eastern Victorian region,” Mr Lewis-Williams said.“Our economic impact assessment data shows the Supercars event has major financial benefits for the district.”
The direct economic impact for this year’s event showed an economic output of $6.44 million – indicating expenditure in the area – as well as supporting 46 jobs.
Winton Motor Raceway Manager Jeff Grech was just as happy to hold on to the event, after a tough and lengthy negotiation period with Supercars Australia.
“There is no two ways about it, it a marquee event for our region,” Mr Grech said.
“Negotiation are always tough, and no one likes missing out.”
“We knew that they were going to chop some events, but we put our best case forward.
“And our camp following, that was hugely advantageous in us retaining the event.”
“It’s certainly fantastic for it to be back, for us, for the people of Benalla, the small businesses and everyone that benefits from it.
“Bring on 2020.”
Mr Grech said there had been plenty of upside in keeping the event at the regional track.
"Our spectators can see the whole track from one spot. The facilities lend to an amphitheater effect," he said.
“And the campers come in and watch and enjoy and then go back at night, have a campfire and a yarn.
"It's one of the most family orientated Supercar events."
But despite the success of this year's event, the team at Winton will now look at how to further enhance the experience and keep racing fans coming back time and again.
"We certainly noted what didn’t work and then other things that did work," Mr Grech said.
"We'll expand on those and we're even thinking of extending to up market camping, corporate hospitality, little ideas we’ve got, and we'll go from there."
And it’s not just the local spectators who love the track, it is the drivers, too.
Speaking to The Ensign at this year’s Winton Supersprints, driver Jamie Whincup said it was important to come back to Winton and mix with fans from Victoria’s north east.
“Most of our events are glitzy, glamorous street racks, but it’s great to come down to Winton to support grassroots motorsports,” Whincup said.
“There is a huge fanbase here that are old-school motorsport fans, that camp, come to the tack, sit on the hill and enjoy cars going around the track all weekend.
“It’s fantastic that we continue to come here and that we continue to have variation with our categories. “
Mr Lewis Williams and Mr Grech would like to thank Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Martin Pakula and Regional Development Minister Jaclyn Symes for their enormous support in securing the funds for the event and convincing Supercars to continue with Winton on its calendar.
