Changes are afoot for 2008 V8 Supercar series
October 10th 2007 06:24
Big changes are on the horizon for V8 Supercars in 2008 with a number of amendments being made to the championship calendar.
The series promises to be the biggest and best it has ever been with next year’s championship running from late February to early December, including a non-championship round at the Australian Grand Prix.
Other changes to the 14 round, 15 event calendar include the relocation of the New Zealand round from Pukekohe to Hamilton, the moving of the Eastern Creek round from June to March, the moving of the Winton round from May to September and a new season finale in December at Oran Park instead of the usual Philip Island, which will instead host the 500km endurance race in place of Sandown.
Sandown will become a standard sprint round to be held on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend in June.
The V8 Supercar championship will also take a six week break mid-season in 2008 to accommodate Channel Seven’s coverage of the Beijing Olympic Games.
Team Vodafone driver Craig Lowndes has shown his support for the changes, labelling them as “massive”. "It's almost a brand-new calendar,” he said, “especially after a few years of stability; it's the biggest change to the calendar since I've been in the series.
"With 14 rounds and the non-championship AGP event, it's the most racing we've ever had in one year which is fantastic for the fans and all the drivers.
"I'll be packing all the warm clothing I can find for Winton in August," Lowndes laughed. "At the other end of the spectrum, the Clipsal 500 in February and Oran Park in December are likely to be very hot and physically demanding.
"Having a six-week gap between rounds for the Olympics isn't ideal, but hopefully it gives the crews, who work tirelessly on the cars, a chance to have a break," he continued. "I personally think the break would also be a great opportunity for teams to put on open days and other events where fans can go and get their V8 fix.
"I'll miss the Sandown 500, the race was always a great test and personally I've enjoyed success there over the years with four wins," Lowndes, who won the 2007 event with Jamie Whincup last month, reflected.
"500 kilometres at Phillip Island will be a huge test for all of the teams and drivers. It'll require massive amounts of concentration for the drivers, tyre wear is high at Phillip Island and the race will put a lot of strain on the cars - it'll be the perfect preparation for Bathurst."
Lowndes was saddened by the recent announcement that 2008 will be the final time V8 Supercars will race at the Oran Park circuit, agreeing that holding the finale there was an excellent decision by officials.
"Oran Park has been such a great circuit for the series for almost 40 years,” he said, “and is a popular one among the drivers and fans; hopefully we can all give it a fitting send-off."
Image courtesy of the official Team Vodafone Website
The series promises to be the biggest and best it has ever been with next year’s championship running from late February to early December, including a non-championship round at the Australian Grand Prix.
Other changes to the 14 round, 15 event calendar include the relocation of the New Zealand round from Pukekohe to Hamilton, the moving of the Eastern Creek round from June to March, the moving of the Winton round from May to September and a new season finale in December at Oran Park instead of the usual Philip Island, which will instead host the 500km endurance race in place of Sandown.
Sandown will become a standard sprint round to be held on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend in June.
The V8 Supercar championship will also take a six week break mid-season in 2008 to accommodate Channel Seven’s coverage of the Beijing Olympic Games.
Team Vodafone driver Craig Lowndes has shown his support for the changes, labelling them as “massive”. "It's almost a brand-new calendar,” he said, “especially after a few years of stability; it's the biggest change to the calendar since I've been in the series.
Craig Lowndes
"With 14 rounds and the non-championship AGP event, it's the most racing we've ever had in one year which is fantastic for the fans and all the drivers.
"I'll be packing all the warm clothing I can find for Winton in August," Lowndes laughed. "At the other end of the spectrum, the Clipsal 500 in February and Oran Park in December are likely to be very hot and physically demanding.
"Having a six-week gap between rounds for the Olympics isn't ideal, but hopefully it gives the crews, who work tirelessly on the cars, a chance to have a break," he continued. "I personally think the break would also be a great opportunity for teams to put on open days and other events where fans can go and get their V8 fix.
"I'll miss the Sandown 500, the race was always a great test and personally I've enjoyed success there over the years with four wins," Lowndes, who won the 2007 event with Jamie Whincup last month, reflected.
"500 kilometres at Phillip Island will be a huge test for all of the teams and drivers. It'll require massive amounts of concentration for the drivers, tyre wear is high at Phillip Island and the race will put a lot of strain on the cars - it'll be the perfect preparation for Bathurst."
Lowndes was saddened by the recent announcement that 2008 will be the final time V8 Supercars will race at the Oran Park circuit, agreeing that holding the finale there was an excellent decision by officials.
"Oran Park has been such a great circuit for the series for almost 40 years,” he said, “and is a popular one among the drivers and fans; hopefully we can all give it a fitting send-off."
Image courtesy of the official Team Vodafone Website
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