Details set for new 2017 V8 Supercars regulations

The details have been set for the new V8 Supercars regulations which will be introduced in 2017. The specifications will be revealed no later than the season finale in Sydney and V8 Supercars CEO James Warburton says that they have a ”white paper” for ideas.

”The White Paper is about the next step in the evolution of this sport. It’s about the DNA of the category. Car of the Future opened it about to other manufacturers, this is the next step. The next configuration is called the “Gen 2 Supercar” and it is all about what happens in 2017,” said Warburton to The Daily Telegraph.

Speculations have been going on for long about the changes which are expected to open up for two-door cars and turbocharged four-cylinder engines.

”We will be opening up power plants, door configurations and the like. We have put together a package after talking to existing manufacturers about what they want to see in the sport and also other manufacturers about what they need to get involved. We put a framework for this together and took a recommendation to the board and put it to the team owners yesterday (Thursday),” said Warburton.

The new “Gen 2 Supercar” is meant to attract new manufacturers to the championship in the light of both Holden and Ford closing down their Australian production of road cars.

”This a 2017 evolution and we need a framework to suit the car industry. Decisions are now made overseas and we need to adapt. We have to be relevant for existing manufacturer and we need to attract new manufacturers,” said Warburton.

”Two to three” new manufacturers are reported to take interest in the new regulations while the future of Ford in the championship is still unclear.

”Ford will be on the grid with the FG-X next year but they have a decision to make about the sport. It is a debate for next year. They just have to look at the platform and what we deliver. The fans are clear on what they want to see. I think it is simple: if they want to sell automotive products in this country, they need to be in this sport. Next year is crunch time for them,” said Warburton.

With the potential change from V8 engines, a name change for the championship is up for discussion as well.

”That is a possibility and one of the two options. We presented it at the AGM to the team owners and it is more along the long lead deadlines of merchandise and it’s a 2015 rebrand. With the name it is one or the other. We will unveil that in a couple of weeks,” said Warburton.

Another area of change for 2017 is a potential expansion to international races, but within reasonable distance from Australia.

”Going overseas means flying on 747s and we are a very expensive show. It will have to be Asia, because the freight is cheaper,” said Warburton.

The changes are expected to be announced ahead of the season finale in Sydney.