JULY 31, 2006

A blow for Melbourne

It has been announced in Australia that the V8 Supercars will not be supporting the Australian Grand Prix next year. The Grand Prix Corporation is blaming a clash of TV stations as the V8s recently did a new deal with Channel Seven, while the Grand Prix is covered by Network 10.

The news seems to have come as a surprise to the Grand Prix organisers.

"We are surprised at this decision by V8 Supercars Australia, especially since in our previous discussions they had indicated that they would be able to participate at the Grand Prix should it be held on March 15-18," said Ron Walker. "We are working on making the 2007 F1 Australian Grand Prix the biggest and best event yet and in the coming months we will be making a range of announcements regarding the exciting new features of the event, both and on and off the track."

The story from the V8 camp is a little different.

"We were very surprised when they chose a date that clashes with the World Swimming Championships," said V8 Supercars Australia chief executive Wayne Cattach. "We are planning a championship round the following weekend in Perth and it is physically impossible for our teams to compete at the Grand Prix and turn up just a few days later in Perth."

The loss of the V8s is a blow to Melbourne as there is little doubt that a percentage of the fans in Albert Park each year are there because of the V8s rather than the F1s.