V8 Supercars could be set to support F1 in Singapore for 2011

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Monday, 23 August 2010 08:56

When Bernie Ecclestone wants something he usually gets it. It looks like right now he wants the V8 Supercar Championship to join the 2011 Singapore Formula One event in a supporting role, according to a report in V8X magazine.

The current CEO of V8 Supercars Martin Whitaker has a long history in Formula One, most recently being the boss of the Bahrain track before joining the Australian based series as the man in charge. He told the magazine fellow CEO Bernie Ecclestone had personally expressed an interest in the two motorsport series coming together again for the 2011 Singapore event.

“(Bernie would) love to have us there in an earlier timeslot. It’s better for the spectators, better for the city and puts an extra four hours on to the show as far as Singapore is concerned.”

A spanner in the works could come with the issue of clashing television rights. Currently Formula One is shown on the Australian Channel 10 network, with V8 Supercars contracted to Channel Seven. To solve this it would more likely mean the event would be a non championship round for the V8 Supercar series, like the current set up for the Australian Formula One event.

It seems Ecclestone has also noticed the success of V8 Supercars street races and the party atmosphere that comes with them on and off track, asking for advice on how to improve the overall experience for the fans.

“What’s really interesting is they want more expertise in running the entertainment element that goes hand-in-hand with a street race,” he said. “It’s everything that goes with it; it’s the street party culture that brings the city alive for the duration of the race meeting.' Whitaker added.

If this partnership was to have gone ahead this year, based on the dates for the Singapore race it would haven fallen between two of V8 Supercars biggest and some would say, most important events, the L&H 500 at Phillip Island and the 'race that stops a nation', the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

With what would have been a less than two week turn around either side of the Singapore event, it is no surprise the possibility of another overseas trip for the V8 Supercar Series has delayed the release of the 2011 calendar until October.

Whether Australian race fans would accept a move of their beloved Bathurst 1000 to fit in a non championship round to support another Formula One event is yet to be known, but sometimes you have to make a sacrifice for the greater good. The exposure for the V8 Supercar Series would be invaluable.
Only time will tell if Ecclestone will get what he wants. I think he will. Jacki Warnock Girlracer magazine

Worth checking - Motorsport news - F1 news - Chelsea Woods