August 5^th, 2003

WA secures V8 Supercars for next three years

AUSTRALIA’S top motorsport category, the V8 Supercar Championship Series, will return to Western Australia’s Barbagallo Raceway Wanneroo for at least the next three years.

Recognised as the finest touring car series in the world, round five – the VB 300 - attracted a record crowd to the raceway in June, confirming its status as one of the State’s premium sporting events, and it will continue following successful negotiations by the WA Sporting Car Club.

“This is fantastic news for us and for the many thousands of motor racing fans throughout Western Australia,” said raceway and club general manager Adrian Chambers.

“We’ve virtually been living from year to year for the 28 years the series has been coming here in its various forms, and that’s been very difficult for our forward planning.

“Now we are secure at least until after 2006, and that should silence those who seem to derive a perverse pleasure out of spreading rumours to the contrary.

”CUB’s support of the V8s has been great for us and we hope the VB 300 will continue at Wanneroo for many years to come.”

The success of the series has seen membership in the country’s oldest motorsport club - now in its 77th year – increase by a third in the past three years to more than 1100.

Its agreement with the Australian V8 Supercar Company (AVESCO)) is conditional upon the club continuing to improve facilities at the raceway.

“That poses no problem for us because that is our ongoing charter,” said Chambers. “And we work in partnership with AVESCO to ensure the best possible outcome for our fans, teams and competitors.

“We have poured all profits back into upgrades and even this week started work on a spectator embankment down Tait Straight and into Novus Corner which will allow fans excellent elevated viewing, as well as extend the amphitheatre effect which assists with retaining noise levels.”