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NEWS
Chrysler firms as fifth V8 Supercars make
Skaife claims serious negotiations also underway with sixth manufacturerChrysler is emerging as the hot favourite to be the fifth manufacturer to join V8 Supercars racing and Garry Rogers Motorsport is firming as the team with which the US brand is most likely to pair.
And a sixth manufacturer could also be on the way for 2014, with another privateer Holden team, Brad Jones Racing, in the running to be its partner.
But who that manufacturer isn’t yet clear. Motoring.com.au sources have ruled out ambitious Korean manufacturer Hyundai while emphasising Chrysler’s interest in involvement with its 300C SRT8 sedan (pictured).
That’s the news emerging from Austin in Texas as the V8 Supercars circus prepares for its historic first North American race at the Circuit of the Americas this weekend.
Speculation about the fifth manufacturer has been rising in the V8 Supercars pit lane for the last month, especially Chrysler and GRM renewing negotiations after a deal between the two was shot down late in the piece in 2012.
Chrysler’s ongoing interest was highlighted when it went ahead and committed to the V8 Supercars safety car with the 300C SRT8 for the 2013-2014 season.
But it is V8 Supercars commission chairman Mark Skaife, also the architect of the new Car of the Future program that has allowed new brands Nissan and Mercedes-Benz AMG into the sport alongside Ford and Holden, who has truly fired up the speculation.
Speaking at a press conference for a predominantly American audience in Austin tonight, Skaife said: “We are certainly seeking another one or two really high profile manufacturers and only time will tell. We will make some pretty important announcements on that as the year closes out.”
Afterwards, on the sidelines of the conference, Skaife said a deal could be done as soon as six to eight weeks.
“We are absolutely talking, we have nothing locked away as we speak right now, but we are absolutely talking to new manufacturers. And not just one, there are a couple we are talking to.
“We are seriously talking to two (manufacturers).”
Asked about Chrysler he said: “I think someone like a Chrysler for a long time now has been contemplating where they spend their money in sport. They have an agreement in place for the next two years with the safety car program so it’s good they are affiliated with us. That’s all I can say.”
Asked if the departure of Clyde Campbell – who opposed going V8 Supercars racing last year – as local Chrysler Fiat group local managing director aided the chances of Chrysler joining V8s, Skaife said: “He didn’t make a decision on the previous involvement, that was much more a marketing decision, but I don’t want to say any more.”
Skaife said he was confident that deals done within the next few months would allow time for a new manufacturer to come into the championship in 2014.
“We ran right through to last October with Mercedes. But obviously the earlier the better, and depending on who it would be and how they would go about the program, what team they would use and what engine they would use. There is a lot of detail attached to that, but seriously, we are working very hard getting new manufacturers into this sport,
“We would be derelict if we didn’t.”
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Written byBruce Newton
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