V8SC: V8 ‘watershed' without a third party

MOTORSPORT REPORT

Chrysler says nothing doing on 300C
The next-generation Holden and Ford racing cars have been duly unveiled in Sydney today without any surprises – and no word on any new make to participate under V8 Supercar’s new rules from 2013.

The VE Commodore and FG Falcon built to CotF regulations were unmasked at the Homebush Olympic site where the final round of this year’s V8 Supercar Championship concludes this weekend and Mark Skaife and Neil Crompton then drove them briefly on the street circuit.

V8 Supercar supremo Tony Cochrane called it “a watershed day”.

Cochrane said that CotF project leader Skaife “along with his great team within V8 Supercars, and externally, have not only delivered this critical project in time [even though the prototypes were originally due last January] but also with a tremendous finished product”.

While there are the well-documented changes under the bodyshells, the outward appearance of the cars is the same as those racing now – which V8 Supercars says is maintaining the essence of the sport: that they look like Commodores and Falcons on public roads.

Continuing his oft-expressed theme – including in our earlier preview - Skaife said CotF would keep V8 Supercar "more viable and provide better racing”.

He also maintained his claim that it was only a matter of time before another car manufacturer saw value in competing in V8 Supercars.

Our preview mentioned we had heard a whisper of Chrysler being interested. Chrysler spokesman Dean Bonthorne has since told us: “Chrysler has not had any recent formal discussions with the series organisers regarding inclusion in the V8 Supercars.

“Inclusion of the all-new 300C in the 2013 series is something that may be up for consideration should the right proposal be provided, but at this stage there is nothing to confirm or comment on.”

Bonthorne further qualified his comment regarding "recent discussions" stating, to the best of his knowledge, Chrysler had not had "any formal discussions or proposal presented".

Companies that have been speculated more often to be potential players - Toyota, Hyundai, Nissan and Mazda - all have publicly downplayed or ruled out interest, while German manufacturers Mercedes, BMW and Audi are focused on the German Touring Car Championship, known as the DTM.

Skaife, sounding wishful more than confident, said today: “We encourage new manufacturers to be with us.

“If we are able to have two or three [new] manufacturers over the next three or four years we will be in a very healthy position. There are untold benefits for both V8 Supercars and, I believe, particularly for the first manufacturer to join us.

“A lot of the car companies have recognised that to be first will have a level of great advantage in terms of publicity and promotion.

“Essentially that very first [new] manufacturer will have a distinct advantage over others who sign up later.

“Australia is a very different place in 2011 than in 1993 [when the two-make V8 series began as the Australian Touring Car Championship].

“Today Ford and Holden combined have roughly 20 per cent of the market. The other 80 per cent of the market needs to be embraced by V8 Supercars.

“The reality is you can’t have your whole sport based on 20 per cent of the car market,” Skaife commented.

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