MOTORSPORT: The sound of engines roaring in anticipation is widespread across Warwick with the announcement of the Morgan Park calendar of events for 2018.

The season kicks off this weekend with round 1A of the Queensland Super Sprints Series, a competition hosting over 300 competitors across the four rounds.

The series culminates with a state championship on the final weekend of October, for which winners of each division will receive free entry.

Morgan Park president Michael Reynolds said the widespread interest in the growing series was a feather in the course's cap.

"The series has been expanded from two to three divisions due to numbers and interest, and is followed up by the Queensland State Super Sprint Champion- ships,” Reynolds said.

"We have over 350 entrants across the divisions this year, and it is really encouraging to have such high interest.”

Another highlight of the calendar is the staging of the ASBK Australian Superbikes, an event that attracted the big names of the sport last year.

Morgan Park will have the chance to host former MotoGP competitor Troy Bayliss, who announced he was coming out of retirement to participate in the ASBK circuit.

"We have secured the superbikes for the next two years,” Reynolds said.

"It is a massive event, not only for Morgan Park, but for Warwick.

"It will be good to host someone as acclaimed as Troy Bayliss competing in the event here.

"This is coupled with another 10 weekends of motorbikes run by Motorcycling Australia.”

Such is the diverse nature of events at the track, the club will again host an array of different vehicles.

"There are three short circuit and four CAMS state rounds at Morgan Park,” Reynolds said.

"Three historic car meets run by the HACCQ will

be there, as well as the Porsche Sprints and a

new event promoted by Winton Raceway in Victoria.”

As for this weekend, Reynolds said he was happy with numbers coming to Morgan Park for round 1A of the Super Sprints Series.

"There are 92 entries for the weekend, which is down a little because of the Bathurst 12-hour,” he said.

"It will still be a great weekend.

"The track is in great condition. It had a few minor repairs over Christmas, and the grounds also look brilliant.

"A new LED lighting system will be introduced over the next couple of months to assist with the organisation of flagging.”

KEY DATES

February

2-4 Qld Super Sprints Series - Round 1A

9-12 Motorcycle Sportsmen of Qld - Round 1

March

10-11 SCMSA - Short Circuit 1

16-18 CAMS State Championship Race Meeting - Round 1

April

28 Porsche Sprint Day

August

16-20 ASBK Australian Superbikes

October

26-28 Queensland Super Sprints State Championship