BMW-Penske V8 Supercars link

A high-ranking BMW executive has confirmed preliminary discussions with motor racing icon Roger Penske about teaming up for an assault on the Australian V8 Supercars championship.

The brief conversation about the local tin-top series came off the back of BMW's interest in Penske becoming a dealer in Australia.

It was confirmed today in Melbourne during a meeting with motoring media by Hendrik von Kuenheim, BMW Group senior vice president Asia, Pacific and South Africa.

"We had very, very, very brief initial discussions about whether we could do something," von Kuenheim said.

"I particularly understand V8 motorsport is still a big thing here and we have at this time no decision to proceed.

"But Roger is a key person in this yes."

There is no suggestion that any agreement has been reached or there is any interest from BMW in going racing here.

It is understood Penske has other more likely options ahead of BMW to back his V8 Supercars activities.

But von Kuenheim's admission does confirm rumours that have been circulating in the V8 Supercars championship for some time about Penske pitching an Australian racing program to BMW.

The billionaire businessman runs an international transport-based empire that includes a slew of luxury and prestige brand dealerships in the USA and Europe. Up to 25 per cent of them are said to be BMW.

Von Kuenheim made it clear he would encourage Penske – whom he got to know when he worked for BMW in North America – to become a dealership owner for the brand in Australia.

But he said any decision on a V8 Supercars program would not be made by him.

"It is not really up to me because motorsport is driven by Mr Jens Marquardt and he has two bosses – one is the head of engineering and the other is the worldwide head of sales and marketing Ian Robertson.

"Obviously you do motorsport to substantiate your technology know-how and to build on your brand."

BMW currently campaigns against Mercedes-Benz and Audi in the German DTM with a 3 Series-bodied racer.

Penske has already revealed a desire to invest in dealerships in Australia and is known to have shopped around for Mercedes-Benz franchises as far back as 2013.

He already has significant transport and heavy engine industry investments in Australia, having purchased the Western Star/MAN and MTU/Detroit Diesel distributorships in 2014.

Penske traditionally promotes his business investments via motor racing and he has already purchased Dick Johnson Racing and refashioned it into DJR Team Penske for the 2015 V8 Supercars championship.

The team has attracted plenty of unwanted attention so far because star recruit Marcos Ambrose chosen to step out of the team's Ford Falcon FG X after two events. His replacement Scott Pye (pictured) has been no more competitive as the team struggles to sort the car out.

Penske is running a single Ford in 2015 on a privateer basis, but has made it clear that he believes factory backing is the only way to be truly competitive in the V8 Supercars championship.

Apart from BMW, Penske has also been linked speculatively with Mercedes-Benz and Lexus. It is understood he is also using his considerable influence to try and persuade Ford HQ in North America to retain an interest in the Australian championship, despite Ford Australia's announcement of its intention to withdraw at  the end of 2015.

As reported previously, Lexus Australia is taking the first half of 2015 to decide whether it wants to go motor racing. If the answer to that fundamental question is yes, it will then decide between GT3 sports car racing and V8s. The local series swaps to new Gen2 technical rules in 2017 that will allow the Toyota-owned luxury brand to campaign its RC F sports coupe.

Engines other than V8s will also be allowed from 2017.

An Australian-based Penske Group executive approached for comment declined our offer. motoring.com.au is also seeking a response from Penske Racing president Tim Cindric.