Why V8 Supercars has hit the skids in Australia
The 2011 V8 Supercars season kicked off at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi over the weekend, in front of a paltry crowd and televised live into Australia in the early hours of the morning. As V8 Supercars assesses why crowds are on the decline and television ratings have plunged by as much as 23 per cent, perhaps they should start with the location of their season opener in the search for answers.
V8s give Middle East a tune-up
THE roar we had been waiting for went off in Abu Dhabi last weekend, with Holden coming out on top.
It was an all Team Vodafone front row for race one of the 2011 season, as Craig Lowndes claimed pole position ahead of teammate Jamie Whincup. However, it was Ford’s Alex Davison who got the jump from the second row, taking the pack around turn one.
V8 Supercars
V8 Supercars is a touring car racing category based in Australia and run as an International Series under Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) regulations. As well as enjoying popularity in Australia, it has a considerable following in New Zealand[citation needed], and is steadily growing in popularity across the world[citation needed] where television coverage allows.
V8 Supercars second only to F1: Yas CEO
Yas Marina Circuit’s Chief Executive Officer Richard Cregan says that V8 Supercars is a key part of the stunning circuit’s future.
The track is host to a number of international events, including Formula One, V8 Supercars and the FIA GT1 World Championship, and the track’s Irish boss says that the V8 category is second only to F1 in terms of importance for the circuit.
V8 SUPERCAR TEAM TO WORK AROUND THE CLOCK TO MAKE BATHURST STARTING GRID Video
Brad Jones - Team BOC Owner
* The weekend is not over for the car? * Great to have the smash repair service?
Jason Richards - Team BOC
* Mount Panorama can bite pretty hard? * Still confident - even with a repaired race car? * Give it 100% in the race?
Footage
* Car being pulled apart * Car being delivered to the smash repair team * Smash repair team preparing for the work * Jason Richards with team owner Kim Jones
Team BOC has been burning the midnight oil to have the Jason Richards / Andrew Jones Holden Commodore ready for Sunday's Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.
Richards was at the wheel when he crashed during the Friday practice session at Forrest's Elbow at Mount Panorama.
Adding to the team's woes was a second impact from defending two-time V8 Supercar Champion Jamie Whincup of TeamVodafone.
The 90kph impact caused $100,000 damage.
The team pulled the damaged panels and components off the car and sent it to the on-site smash New South Wales TAFE repair centre.
The TAFE crew has become legendary in turning racecars around for the big race over the years. One of the more famous was that of Jason Bright in 1998 - who went on to win that race. Bright is the teammate to Jason Richards, and he set the fastest time in Friday's qualifying session.
Richards had been one of the fastest cars on Mount Panorama this weekend and, after finishing second for the last two years, was determined to go one better.
He and co-driver Andy Jones still believe the pace of the car could be their savoir and are working with engineers on a recovery strategy.
The 161-lap race begins at 10.30 on Sunday
Comments on "V8 SUPERCAR TEAM TO WORK AROUND THE CLOCK TO MAKE BATHURST STARTING GRID"
You'll be right ... You'll be right boys. Good job to get? the car repaired for today. Get back out there and kick some ass.
![Craig Lowndes on Bathurst & Peter Brock [2007]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/2XtoLpZ1nRo/default.jpg)
