Before an emotional and memorable VALO Adelaide 500 ended the 2022 Supercars Championship on a high, there was plenty of discussion about future races and lack of them.

The 2023 calendar was announced in the build up with only 12 rounds on the tour making it the equal shortest Supercars season aside the COVID-19 impacted 2020 since the championship expanded from sprint only events in 1999.

Although there was excitement about the Sandown 500 coming back and Newcastle rejoining to open the Gen 3 era, fans were disappointed about how infrequent racing will be.

With only 12 rounds being offered, popular events such as New Zealand, Phillip Island, Winton and Queensland Raceway were all left off the table.

As recently as 2018 all of these stops, plus recent additions Newcastle and Tailem Bend were included in an all-time high 16-round season.

But as the sport continues to climb out of COVID-19 and prepare for a new chapter in Gen 3, racing was reduced and the fans are disappointed.

The only New Zealand based circuit other than Pukekohe to host a Supercars Championship round is Hamilton which held a street race from 2008 to 2012. Photo: Mark Horsburgh / LAT Photographic

Drivers are also with Race 33 winner Chaz Mostert voicing his concerns during the season ending Adelaide 500 highlighting the absence of the well supported trip across the Tasman, the 600km co-driver event on the Gold Coast and the Enduro Cup.

“I think there are a…