Exploring the Mechanics of the V8 Supercars Championship Series

V8 Supercars might be unfamiliar to some, especially if you assume they're merely vehicles equipped with a V-8 engine. This is likely because you don't reside in Australia, New Zealand, Abu Dhabi, or other regions where V8 Supercar racing has surged in popularity, rivaling NASCAR in the U.S. Similar to NASCAR, V8 Supercar races feature modified production cars, specifically the Holden Commodore and the Australian Ford Falcon, to ensure fair competition in endurance races that span several hours and hundreds of miles. The most prominent series is the V8 Supercars Championship Series, which includes 15 events in 2012 across various tracks in every Australian state.

The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) classifies V8 Supercars as an International Championship series. Despite this global recognition, the series has primarily been confined to Australia and the Middle East. However, this will shift in 2013 when the V8 Supercars Championship Series expands to the United States, with races scheduled at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, for at least five years.

The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), renowned for regulating Formula One racing and its Grand Prix events, also oversees V8 Supercars. Often likened to NASCAR within the Formula One realm, the V8 Supercars Championship Series can be seen as the Grand Prix of stock car racing. Similar to NASCAR, the 'stock' cars in V8 Supercar racing are heavily modified, but under even stricter regulations. These rules ensure that the competition favors driver skill over car engineering, preventing any single car or manufacturer from dominating. Every aspect, including the engine, body, weight, suspension, tires, and brakes, is meticulously controlled by the V8 Supercar Project Blueprint.

On the following pages, we’ll explore the origins of V8 Supercars, the structure of the Championship Series, and its upcoming debut at a prominent racetrack in the United States.

A History of V8 Supercars

The origins of V8 Supercars trace back to 1960, when it was initially called the Australian Touring Car Championship. For the first eight years, it was a single race rather than a series. The inaugural event took place at the Gnoo Blas circuit in Orange, New South Wales, with David McKay emerging as the winner. McKay later became a racing journalist for the Australian Daily Telegraph. His winning car was a Jaguar Mark I. Over the years, various car models have claimed victory in the championship, but in 1995, the rules were revised to restrict participation to only two car models: the Holden Commodore, a General Motors vehicle produced exclusively in Australia, and the Ford Falcon. (While the Falcon is also manufactured in the U.S., the Australian version is used in V8 Supercars.)

Why were the Commodore and Falcon chosen? One reason is their status as Australia's most popular 8-cylinder passenger cars, known for their robust engines and durability. These qualities make them ideal for roles like police cars and taxicabs. On the racing circuit, they’ve earned a strong reputation as competitive and reliable race cars.

In 1997, the Australian Vee Eight Supercar Company (AVESCO) was established to manage the series and boost its appeal. A significant move in 1999 was rebranding the series as V8 Supercars. The sport's popularity grew internationally, with races expanding to the Middle East and future plans to include South Africa, India, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the U.S.

The V8 Supercar Championship Series features several major events. These include the Bathurst 1000, held every October at Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales; the Clipsal 500 in March on the Adelaide Street Circuit; the Phillip Island 500K in September at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Victoria; and the Sydney Telstra 500, the season's grand finale held in December at Sydney's Olympic Park. The Sydney Telstra 500 is the newest addition to the championship calendar.

But what defines a V8 Supercar? While they must be either Holden Commodores or Ford Falcons, there are additional stringent requirements. These rules ensure the cars meet strict standards. We’ll delve into these specifications on the next page.

The Making of a V8 Supercar

Since 1995, V8 Supercar racing has been limited to two car models: the Holden Commodore and the Ford Falcon, both manufactured in Australia. However, these are not standard factory models but are heavily modified for racing. Strict regulations govern these modifications to ensure affordability and fairness. The goal is to make the sport accessible, preventing drivers and sponsors from spending exorbitant amounts on cutting-edge race cars. The focus is on driver skill, not engineering, so the cars are standardized to maintain a level playing field. Performance on the track, not the car's design, is what matters.

In 2003, Project Blueprint was introduced to V8 Supercar racing, establishing rules to ensure competitive parity among vehicles. The regulations aimed to make races as close as possible by standardizing the cars' performance capabilities. Here are some of the key restrictions outlined by Project Blueprint:

V8 Supercars Come to America

In July 2010, plans were unveiled for a world-class 3.4-mile racetrack near Austin, Texas, named the Circuit of the Americas. Scheduled to open in 2012, the track aims to become the U.S. hub for global racing championships. It has already secured Formula One racing as the American venue for the Grand Prix and signed a five-year agreement with V8 Supercars to host championship races from 2013 to at least 2017. The Circuit of the Americas is designed as a cutting-edge facility, attracting racing enthusiasts worldwide and serving as a venue for conventions, conferences, live events, and a museum.

Texas Governor Rick Perry and Queensland (Australia) Premier Anna Bligh attended the announcement of the V8 Supercars agreement. Circuit of the Americas President Steve Sexton expressed confidence that "Austin is set to become the leading North American hub for international motorsports." Governor Perry added, "Texas is rapidly becoming the go-to destination for major sporting events in the nation."

In the U.S., V8 Supercars events will be broadcast live on Speed TV, which also airs Australian events on a delayed basis.

While the V8 Supercar Championship Series has already captivated the Australian racing scene, its U.S. debut is expected to significantly boost its popularity, positioning it as a competitor to NASCAR and Formula One. Interestingly, the idea of expanding V8 Supercar racing to North America was initially dismissed by series organizers. However, growing interest from top racing drivers, including Indianapolis 500 and Formula One champions, has convinced them of its potential. General Motors strongly supports this move, and Ford is likely to follow.

For racing enthusiasts already immersed in Formula One, NASCAR, the Indianapolis 500, and other U.S. events, V8 Supercars will provide even more excitement, filling any gaps in their schedules. The growing popularity of this championship series will undoubtedly benefit the global racing community.