V8 Singapore race on the cards

Release date: 16/03/2008 A consortium of officials from Singapores Ministry of Sport and its local Formula One authority have met with V8 Supercars Australia hierarchy at Albert Park this weekend to examine the possibilities of holding a race for the Australian category in Singapore.

While the Singapore officials are in Australia to observe the Australian Grand Prix and not specifically to meet with V8 Supercars Australia, they took the opportunity to investigate the possibilities of staging a Supercar race in their country.

V8 Supercars Australia CEO, Wayne Cattach, confirmed that this weekend's meeting was actually the second time that discussions had taken place between the two parties.

However, he stressed that a deal was still quite some time away.

“There is no offer on the table. We have had a general discussion about the possibilities, but there is nothing concrete,” Cattach said.

“At this stage it is a case of them getting to know what we do.

“They also had a chat with (Bahrain International Circuit custodian) Martin Whitaker about what we do.

“They wanted to get an understanding of the contribution that we make to the Bahrain circuit,” he continued.

It is believed that a V8 Supercar support race could take place on the street circuit that will be used for Formula One in Singapore, however sources also suggest that plans to build a permanent race track near the street circuit are well underway. The privately funded permanent track, which is expected to be completed by 2011, would allow V8 Supercars to hold a Championship round in the country.

Cattach indicated that Singapore is keen to expand its motorsport industry.

“A bit like Bahrain, motorsport in their country is in its infancy, and they have a lot to learn,” he said.

“They have had discussions with CAMS about the provision of services in the same way as they (CAMS) did in Bahrain to train officials.

“They (Singapore) have an ASN (motorsport governing body) which really doesn't have a lot of experience, so they are coming from a long way behind.

“What they are trying to do is understand what we have to offer, but I would certainly describe the talks as productive,” he concluded.