V8 Supercars has formally concluded its agreement with the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, but Chief Executive Officer James Warburton is confident there will be international races for V8 Supercars in 2016 and beyond.
The contract with COTA has been terminated after one foray in the United States in May 2013, the Austin 400, and while the event was hailed a success at the time, Warburton said when the economics were considered from both sides, the best decision was to terminate.
“We spent a lot of time chasing down ‘the American Dream’ so to speak,” Warburton told v8supercars.com.au.
“We had an existing contract with Circuit of the Americas, we’ve terminated that contract, so that’s off the table.
“We would’ve got a twin up, (but) we both looked at the economics and agreed it was better just to terminate.”
It was reported earlier this year V8 Supercars was looking to ‘twin’ the event with another race meeting in the US, to justify the huge transit costs. But without COTA, the foundation of the idea is no longer there.
“We’ve spent a lot of time and effort with America, which is unfortunately a bit wasted. But away we go now in terms of our approach to Asia,” Warburton said.
V8 Supercars approached Formula One Management in relation to appearing as a support category overseas, as it does for the Australian Grand Prix, which was ultimately unsuccessful.
“We had promoters wanting us there… but we got knocked back. That’s where the focus has been, and now we go back into Asia and some other areas and develop the plan.”
While Warburton said there was plenty of discussion around future international showings, he confirmed the 2015 calendar – to be released prior to the Wilson Security Sandown 500, running from September 12-14 – would more than likely just include domestic events, aside from New Zealand.
“With the Tassie announcement a couple of weeks ago [Tasmania extending until 2019], that leaves only WA to renew, and we’re already in discussions. We’ve got everything pretty much set for three, to five, to 10 years, depending on the circuits.”
“Toowoomba is the one that’s most likely for 2016,” Warburton said.
Dates and formats for 2015 are set to be announced around the next event, the Wilson Security Sandown 500, with a potential inclusion of testing on race weekends.
Courtesy:
www.v8supercars.com.auhttp://www.cams.com.au/media/news/latest-news/v8-supercars-and-circuit-of-the-americas-agree-to-end-current-contract
