New V8 Future Tourers touring car category announced
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1: Octagon Motorsports today announced the launch of Future Tourers, an all-new category of V8 touring car racing. The category will cater for a minimum of four manufacturers - Holden, Ford, Toyota and Mitsubishi - with plans to ...
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1: Octagon Motorsports today announced the launch of Future Tourers, an all-new category of V8 touring car racing.
The category will cater for a minimum of four manufacturers - Holden, Ford, Toyota and Mitsubishi - with plans to expand to include other brands with models of a similar wheelbase. The Future Tourer will consist of a silhouette type formula with a strictly controlled set of regulations to ensure performance parity and importantly ensuring cost effective motorsport.
Currently eligible vehicles include VR, VS, VT Commodore, EL, EF, AU Falcon, Magna and Camry/Avalon. All will run a control 5 litre V8 engine producing approximately 400hp and utilising standard factory fitted road option aerodynamics.
There are a number of new vehicles under construction including two Mitsubishi Magnas in Sydney and a brand new VT Commodore for James Brock.
James Brock said "It was fantastic to win my first race at Bathurst last year in a Holden V8. This new category gives me the chance to participate in a full season of racing in an official championship - it's going to be a step forward in my career and also for many other drivers. I can't wait to get started. The cut and thrust of racing in a championship really appeals to me. Winning championships is what every driver strives for."
CAMS Chief Executive Peter Hansen said: "We are pleased that the new category includes at least four manufacturers from the outset and that this is a strictly controlled category with a control engine and standard road version aerodynamics. We are working our way through the technical regulations and I will have a full recommendation to the Board of CAMS at its meeting next week."
The Future Tourers will compete on the same eight-round national program as the BOC Gases Australian Super Touring Car Championship (which starts at Sydney's Oran Park on May 28) and will therefore enjoy significant television coverage via the Seven Network.
Plans are currently being formulated for the Future Tourers to compete in Macau along side a contingent of Aussie Super Tourers in November. A brand new Future Tourer can be built for between $80,000 and $100,000 which means the category is very accessible.
Octagon Motorsport General Manager, Craig Fletcher said: "We are confident this category will be embraced by a very enthusiastic group of new competitors who have indicated to us that this form of strictly regulated, cost efficient V8 category is precisely what they are looking for. We are very mindful of the ever-increasing costs of motorsport participation and we believe this have meant that many competitors simply cannot compete. Future Tourers will fill the void and prove to be a great partner to the Super Touring program. Commercially, Future Tourers will provide the opportunity to introduce a whole new raft of companies into the sport, which previously may have been financially out of their reach."
"Bruce Williams will work closely with competitors ensuring they are accurately informed on the regulations and technical issues during the build schedule of new vehicles. The first outing for the Future Tourers at Oran Park on May 28 is sure to generate plenty of interest"
TOCA Chief Executive Kelvin O’Reilly said: "The introduction of Future Tourers will be a welcome addition to Australian motorsport and we are confident their presence will further enhance our Super Touring/Super Production schedule for 2000."
Mike Porter
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