Supercars take green lead

Australia's V8Supercar series will take the lead in environmentally-friendly racing next year and in the process beat the world's premier motorsport category to the punch. 

That's the shock leak this morning, with confirmation the local tintops are preparing to use renewable non-petroleum based fuels and run kinetic energy recovery systems (KERS) in time for the 2009 season.

F1 was expected to lead the way with KERS, however, with the local category's new-found worldwide TV reach, technology suppliers have come out of the woodwork. Two such outfits are ready to supply the strictly regulated category with both high-tech fuels and a race-ready regenerative energy storage system.

And if that's not enough... It's likely the paradigm shift in the regulations -- to this date kept secret beyond the factory teams -- will allow the entry of a third manufacturer... One already experienced with hybrid and regenerative power technologies.

The news leaked this morning via KERS system pioneer and supplier, Spanish company Hacer Payasadas SpA.

In a statement to SCLBARNA (effectively the Barcelona Stock Exchange), released this morning, company's spokesperson Prima Tonto said simply: "Hacer Payasadas has entered into an agreement with the world's leading touring car category to provide regenerative energy systems for the 2009 season."

Senor Tonto would not comment any further on the subject, however, V8Supercars' just-appointed Director Environmental Liaison, Ms Avril Pazzo, confirmed discussions had taken place.

"Yes, we have talked with suppliers regarding fuel and other systems, however, we're not in a position to comment further until later today," Ms Pazzo told the Carsales Network this morning.

While Hacer Payasadas is new to the V8Supercar family, Carsales Network understands that the fuel supplier is already within the sponsorship group. Indeed, with the resurgence of a certain Brisbane-based Ford team, the 2009 season could be called the 'Jack's Back' season in more ways thank one.

It's understood that V8Supercars could follow NASCAR's lead next year in running a grain-based ethanol-rich fuel, manufactured in the USA.

Spokesperson for the new fuel supplier, Daniel Jackson told the Carsales Network: "The fuel companies have racing over a barrel. Unless we move forward with environmental sustainable fuels, we'll end up in the drink.

"The Aussie racers have a chance to bottle up this deal ahead of any other category in the world. All we need is proof the series is ready to get on the wagon... We'd hate for the arrangement to end up on the rocks," Jackson said.

While the idea of 'primitive' tintop racers beating F1 to the technological step of KERS is news enough, however, locally the biggest impact is likely to be from the long-rumoured entry of the third manufacturer.

While it was expected Toyota would step into V8Supercars, it's now likely that the car giant's premium brand Lexus will enter the series with a Supercar version of the LS460/600 large sedan.

The carmaker is expected to distance its head office from the initiative, running its V8Supercar program under the Lexus Australia Racing Development banner.

No senior Toyota or Lexus officials were available to comment on the series entry this morning. However, prominent Japanese touring car racing ace Daiichi Tawakemono is believed to have already tested an LS mule built to the new specifications.

The new KERS-equipped Supercars are expected to widen the appeal of the formula. Hacer Payasadas is part-owned by Chinese bio-tech billionaire Siyue Yihao. Siyue is believed to be lobbying for the new three-manufacturer series to stage a showcase event at the little used Shanghai International Racing circuit, in exactly 12 months' time.

V8Supercars are expected to issue a full statement on the leak and the future of KERS, biofuels and new entrants into the local series later today.

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