What happens when a factory style racing series loses virtually all of its factories? That’s the question that the organizers of the V8 Supercars series (now the Supercars series) are asking themselves in Australia. In a column that was recently run on the site MotoringGuru.com.au, author Matt Calvitto examines the current state of the series and the dark clouds that seem to be forming over it. The stark picture of Aussie Supercar Series participation and its future that this column paints is rough. As NASCAR continues to suffer a seemingly massive downturn in attendance over the last couple of years (did you see the crowd in Bristol?) perhaps the Australians can use their series of unfortunate decisions and turns as a road map of what not to do.
We’d argue that the Australian series has been dealt a rough hand with the departure of manufacturing by a few of the huge automakers as well as the discontinuation of some iconic performance models that had built the backbone of the series’ rivalries and competition. They have made efforts to bring other manufacturers in, like Volvo. Volvo came in and left about as quickly which didn’t help the situation. Nissan is involved currently along with the traditional manufacturers. We can only wonder for how long.
We enjoy watching video of the series and watching some of their races via live stream when we can. We’re pulling for the series to survive and grow. By the picture that Calvitto paints here, that seems to be an uphill climb.
Link: Trouble Down Under – Column Paints Stark Picture Of Aussie Supercar Series
It was getting out of control cost wise down under…but they did make a move to start using Tude Frame chassis cars…they were using real touring cars, that would all but, be scrap from one decent hit.
This rule change brought the costs down a little. I wouldn’t be surprised that, getting rid of the manufacturers, would actually help the series, by bringing down cost even more.
Change V8 Supercars to NASCAR and you’re describing the same issues.