The V8 Supercar Championship will kick off its 2010 season with back-to-back races in the Middle East after a deal to race at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi was confirmed.

The Australian-based series will move its traditional season opener from the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide in favour of an event at the brand new Abu Dhabi circuit on February 20th, followed a week later by a round in Bahrain.

The 'domestic' season opener will then revert to Adelaide two weeks later on March 14th.

The deal will see the Yas Marina circuit, which is to host the final round of the 2009 Formula 1 World Championship, welcome the V8 Supercar Championship for the next three seasons.

“The friendship built thus far with His Highness the Crown Prince of Bahrain, the BIC Board of Directors, the Bahraini people and the region as a whole has been truly incredible,” V8 Supercars executive chairman Tony Cochrane said.

“The entire region is fast becoming an important part of Australia's export trade, which includes the Australian-made Holden Commodore, and Government to Government relationships.”

As a result of the announcement, this year's scheduled round in Bahrain has been cancelled. The event was pencilled in for early November.