V8SC: Mercedes-Benz And BMW Rule Out Factory-Backed V8 Supercar Teams

THE AUSTRALIAN ARMS of Mercedes-Benz and BMW have ruled out entering factory-backed teams under the V8 Supercars 'Car of the Future' programme.

Speaking with The Australian this week, Mercedes-Benz Australia's David McCarthy said that while the company's German headquarters would not allow it to compete, there is nothing stopping privateers entering race-prepped versions of its cars.

"Mercedes-Benz Australia Pacific is not allowed to go motor racing and it is not something we are looking to do," Mr McCarthy told The Australian. "However, some of our AMG customers and dealers are looking at it very closely and I'm not sure how that is going to develop."

BMW Australia was equally adamant that it has no plans for a factory-supported V8 Supercars team, with Product Planning boss Toni Andreevski telling Fairfax that BMW has "no interest" in joining the championship.

Other carmakers rumoured to be considering a V8SC entry include Toyota and and its luxury and performance arm Lexus, and even the Korean duo of Hyundai and Kia.

Speaking with News Ltd, V8 Supercar's Cole Hitchcock said that no brands have been officially approached to join the series, with the Car of the Future plan still in development and not due to be revealed until the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix later this month.

"They will be a V8 powerplant, they will be rear-wheel drive and they won't be a silhouette-type car (like a German DTM) - they will be the basic parameters. You won't be seeing Nissan GT-Rs and things like that up against V8s," Mr Hitchcock told News Ltd.

"We're potentially making the category more open for other brands to enter."