New cost cutting measures, the addition of new manufacturers and a splitting of the V8 Supercar calendar are among initiatives that V8 Supercars Australia (V8SA) chairman Tony Cochrane announced over the weekend at the Hidden Valley round of the championship.
Mark Scaife has been appointed as an independent director to the V8SC. His key role will be to chair a committee to look at the ‘cars of the future’ (COF). This committee will have a wide brief to talk to as many manufacturers as possible. Cochrane said that “Our only stipulations going forward is that it has some type of V8 engine as a power plant and that the new COF has a top end price of $250,000 cost to our teams.”
Cochrane is determined to reduce the franchises to 28 and sees that with an increase of manufacturer support and a reduction in costs it will put the whole series in a more sound financial position going forward.
The introduction of the COF will be in 2012 but with a view to phasing them into the series in 2011 as an option.
Also under consideration is an option of splitting the current race calendar into two phases with a mid year break in late July through to mid September. This is due to the sport competing with three different winter codes – Rugby, League and AFL.
Cost Reduction Action List:
1. Remove “go fast” (non-engine) Data and Telemetry.
2. Control valve train –Increase target life of engine to 8000km.
3. Control wheel.
4. Control Dampers.
5. Cap the number of brake discs and pads per Season or Event.
6. Control Engine Airbox.
7. Control Radiator duct and cooling system. A common radiator core would be ideal but if this isn’t feasible teams should have to homologate a cooling package for the season.
8. Control rear axle housing.
9. Control Suspension – Each team’s complete front hub assembly should be homologated for a two year period. Suspension (wishbones, track rods, push rods etc) should be homologated each year for a complete season.
10. Increase the number of composite parts ie current front and rear quarters/fibreglass bonnets.
11. Final Drive ratio – reduce number of options to 3.15 & 3.5 only.
12. Define Centre of Gravity of Cars (possibly for Next Generation Car).
13. Investigate Group Purchasing and Manufacturing (consumables and parts).
14. Control Fuel System.
