Just one month remains until the 2026 Shannons SpeedSeries season opener at the famous Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, with the launch of the 2026 LIQUI MOLY GT Festival Phillip Island poster officially kicking off the countdown.
Taking place four and a half months after the season-ending GT Festival Hampton Downs, there is plenty of anticipation building for the first round of the year, which sees five categories forming part of the line up.
Making up the event will be GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS and Monochrome GT4 Australia leading the way for the GT-focused event, as Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia and Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Australasia both return for the first time since last year’s visit to The Bend.
Rounding out the list of categories at Phillip Island is Australia’s newest national series – the Motorcraft Mustang Cup Australia. A one-make series dedicated to the exciting new Mustang Dark Horse R – a factory-built race car inspired by the 2024 Mustang Dark Horse coupe – the category will feature at all six rounds of the Shannons SpeedSeries in 2026.
Tickets are currently on sale via speedseries.com.au/tickets
More than 24 hours of track time makes up the opening round at the famous circuit as practice and pre-qualifying sessions kick off the event in style before the racing action gets underway on Saturday, with qualifying and the first round of races set up a busy Sunday.
All four returning categories will compete in their traditional formats, with GT World Challenge Australia and Monochrome GT4 Australia holding two qualifying sessions early on Saturday before a race on both days following multiple sessions on Friday.
Ferrari Challenge Australasia will again have qualifying and a race on both Saturday and Sunday, while Porsche Sprint Challenge Australia has its singular race on Saturday after qualifying and wraps up with two races on Sunday.
For its first ever round, Mustang Cup Australia will follow a similar itinerary to Porsche, with practice sessions on Friday, qualifying and the historic first race onSaturday, and two final races on Sunday.
With plenty of exciting track action taking place throughout the weekend, off-track there is just as much happening, with spectators and fans the big winners of the event.
New to Shannons SpeedSeries events in 2026 will be a free Fan Zone, with a public bar, musical entertainment and other activities available to all fans in attendance.
Free paddock access to all ticket holders and an open grid walk on Sunday ahead of the final GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS race are also both available.
LIQUI MOLY GT Festival Phillip Island kicks off the 2026 Shannons SpeedSeries season at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on 27-29 March.
