V8SC - Ford/Holden duopoly to end in 2012
 

Germany's Mercedes-Benz and BMW could be racing bumper-to-bumper with Ford and Holden in Australia's domestic V8 Supercar championship as soon as 2012.

Pitlane and industry sources both here and in Europe have confirmed that Mercedes' performance arm, AMG, is seriously looking at entering the championship. An announcement could come as soon as the Melbourne Grand Prix at the end of this month.

Mercedes has added to the speculation by confirming it will display a V8 AMG customer ride car at the Grand Prix.

BMW's potential involvement is also an open secret in pitlane, although its investigation is not thought to be as advanced. Company spokesman Toni Andreevski was flat in his denial: "BMW has no interest in the V8 Supercars franchise," he said.

The V8 Supercar championship, which has built its success on tribal rivalry between Ford and Holden since 1994, is looking to move away from its blue-collar roots with more overseas racing and more upmarket manufacturers.

The trigger for Benz and BMW's potential interest in the championship is an overhaul of the technical regulations for Australia's premier motorsport category.

The new rules, which now allow more sophisticated V8 engines, have been drafted to broaden the sponsorship net for the series to compensate for Ford and Holden's dwindling financial support for the sport. The recent slump in sales of the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore has seen the two makers pull back from multi-million dollar sponsorship deals.


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whole article here

[url]http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-news/germans-to-join-v8-supercars-20100309-pvdm.html[/url]

I think it may add some more friendly competition. I don't think it's a bad thing. I'm personally getting over the whole ford Holden thing now

If it happens, they'll win, and then they'll be banned.

I would love to see this happen. About time there was some other manufacturers involved.

As they said in the article with sales of Falcons and Commodores in decline they have to do something. They need to protect themselves from the possibility of Ford Aust shutting up shop in 2015. It's fast becoming a one make series.

[QUOTE=Hurtenstein;437521]If it happens, they'll win, and then they'll be banned.[/QUOTE]

x2
:D

[QUOTE=axle;437524]As they said in the article with sales of Falcons and Commodores in decline they have to do something. They need to protect themselves from the possibility of Ford Aust shutting up shop in 2015. It's fast becoming a one make series.[/QUOTE]

It always was a one make series. Underneath the cars there is not much difference between the 2, the body panels they stick on the outside are largely irrelevent.

I wish they would turn it back in to a proper touring car series open to any production car built in the last 3 years. There would be everything from Corrollas through to the V8 supercars with drivers coming from all over the world. It would also encourage more privateers in to the sport.

At least if it is AMG or BMW it will be reliable.

Brendon

[QUOTE=Hurtenstein;437521]If it happens, they'll win, and then they'll be banned.[/QUOTE]

Yup.. just like they did with the GTRs and sierras

[QUOTE=Hurtenstein;437521]If it happens, they'll win, and then they'll be banned.[/QUOTE]

Quoted for mother f**king truth.