Business as usual for SPL as SCV8 looks forwards
to 2005
16 February 2004
Supercar Promotions Limited (SPL) the owners and management company
of the SCV8 Supercar Championship today announce the move for the start
of the all-new championship from this season to 2005.
“Whilst we have reached 90% of our targets and the elements
and criteria required to launch the new series, the final 10% has proved
difficult to conclude in time for a sensible and productive start to
the Championship for this year” said SPL Directors; Andy Rouse,
Pete Hall and Roger Etcell. “We are extremely encouraged and motivated
by the fact that the SCV8 concept has been well received with only positive
comments against its core objectives and philosophy. However, a recent
series of further industry barriers were creating difficulties in concluding
the calendar for this season and until last week we remained on target
for a shorter series than originally planned, starting in August. However,
there is now much turmoil due to the prolonged Brands Hatch circuits
sale and the new owners attempts to bring promoted events back to a
stable footing, much of which is well documented in recent media articles.
Despite much co-operation from circuits, clubs and others, to bring
a new promoted series against this unstable climate, where even existing
major events are being reviewed, is a tall order. The timing just isn't
right.” continued the SPL Directors.
In the interests of the SCV8 Championship and British motorsport in
general, SPL will now postpone the start whilst the market settles,
then hit the ground running with a full promoted 10 event (20 rounds)
championship next year. The current impetus will not be lost as SPL
will continue to build 5 further model type SCV8 cars with the current
supporting manufacturers and franchise teams to add to the existing
Jaguar X-Type. Towards the end of the 2004 race season SPL will then
conduct a series of SCV8 circuit based promoted events and demonstrations
with these cars driven by well known drivers, as a preview to 2005.
During its development the SCV8 Championship has attracted the endorsement
and support of;
• 6 leading manufacturers.
• 6 leading UK race preparation companies as franchise teams.
• Prime time terrestrial and satellite television programming.
• Leading star name drivers plus British young-guns progressing
through their careers.
• Leading UK circuits to host the individual rounds.
• Haymarket Worldwide as its marketing partner.
• The MSA for the required Championship race and promoters permits.
• The BRDC as its race organising Club.
• The MIA for the SCV8's contribution to the British motorsport
engineering industry.
• Thousands of race fans who have registered their interest and
support via the SCV8 website.
Recent media articles clearly indicate that the UK motorsport market
is in urgent need of new product (a commercially sound and promotable
series); SCV8 is that required product and can quickly fill that gap
in a stable market place. Since the formal SCV8 launch in July 2003,
the opportunity clearly remains to complete this exciting project during
this year ready for 2005.
See series calendar for 2004
SCV8 Championship
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