Lexus to join V8 Supercars?

[NaBUru38]

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...257D9C00098AA2

Lexus might also join an increasing number of non-Australian manufacturers in the V8 Supercar racing series to boost its profile and performance-car connection.

Mr Hanley said the company was considering a move in to racing now that it had an eligible car and that a Lexus race car would bring excitement to the brand.

“Excitement can only come from two areas: great design and great performance, and it’s the performance part of the equation where Supercar V8 racing has some association we're thinking for the future.

“LFA was not a car we could have used but now we are hearing about a few eligibility changes and we have an RC F coming with a V8 and suddenly we have a car you could race on Sunday that would be in the showroom on Monday.

“If you want to showcase a car in motorsport, you've also got to have a car of the same design to sell and we have that opportunity now.”

[redesp]

WOW.

This attitude from Lexus is the Polar Opposite to Ford.

[Trevor]

Maybe Ford has been burnt by the idiots (past and present) who run V8Supercars and Lexus actually believe the bull-**** Archer are telling them

[peckstar]

Downward spiral not detected

[bluesport]

Originally Posted by peckstar

Downward spiral not detected

Only because they were forced to make changes to open up the category, otherwise the downward spiral would have continued.

[rich07]

Would like to see a modified version of Lexus new GT3 car join the category.

[Tourer]

Originally Posted by bluesport

Only because they were forced to make changes to open up the category, otherwise the downward spiral would have continued.

Really? Forced by whom?

The decision to make the change to COTF was taken some years ago before anyone was clamouring for it and one of the early statements from James Warburton was that they were looking at a further change to allow a wider range of motors, again before any manufacturers were demanding it (publicly at least).

You'd have to say that COTF has been good in that more manufacturers have become involved and that step 2 sounds like it's heading in the right direction for more to be at least interested.

There is plenty of work to do and V8SC is not as strong as it once was but it is doing OK and making changes without being "forced" to.

[bluesport]

Originally Posted by Tourer

Really? Forced by whom?

Forced by the way the category was heading, only two manufacturers and one of them losing interest.

[Tourer]

Originally Posted by bluesport

Forced by the way the category was heading, only two manufacturers and one of them losing interest.

Two manufacturers was fine for a long time & ultimately much of the appeal of the category was based around the tribal fan base of the two manufacturers.

Toyota and Mitsubishi looked very hard at it but ultimately did not jump in.

I'd suggest that Ford started to "lose interest" with the untimely death of Howard Marsden followed by Geoff Polities move to Europe - back in 2003/2004.

Seems to me rather than being "forced", V8SC have looked long and hard at their market and made some changes that have brought in more manufacturers and kicked some more interest into the category. As we enter the 3rd year of the new car, there are stories that Ford my not continue as a sponsor, so it sounds like rather than being "forced", V8SC got the timing about right.

[bluesport]

Originally Posted by Tourer

Two manufacturers was fine for a long time & ultimately much of the appeal of the category was based around the tribal fan base of the two manufacturers.

Toyota and Mitsubishi looked very hard at it but ultimately did not jump in.

I'd suggest that Ford started to "lose interest" with the untimely death of Howard Marsden followed by Geoff Polities move to Europe - back in 2003/2004.

Seems to me rather than being "forced", V8SC have looked long and hard at their market and made some changes that have brought in more manufacturers and kicked some more interest into the category. As we enter the 3rd year of the new car, there are stories that Ford my not continue as a sponsor, so it sounds like rather than being "forced", V8SC got the timing about right.

Personally, I think the timing is about five years late.

[peckstar]

Originally Posted by bluesport

Personally, I think the timing is about five years late.

Of course you would think that, saves you having to say something postive about the series

except that they are sitting her now with 5 brands, theyhave supported the australian car industry and are getting growing crowds to key events. and just written a massive tv contract.

Now if the perfect time to be considering the future

[GTRMagic]

The question might be which team becomes the technical partner for Lexus to join the series.

You might imagine 888 & Prodrive might be at the top of that list.

Two cars, four cars? 2017? Local build cars with 'works' engines?

Many interesting issues to think about

[bluesport]

Originally Posted by peckstar

Of course you would think that, saves you having to say something postive about the series

except that they are sitting her now with 5 brands, theyhave supported the australian car industry and are getting growing crowds to key events. and just written a massive tv contract.

Now if the perfect time to be considering the future

Not at all, they are heading in the right direction, I just think it should have been a few years earlier.

Just because you are getting a kicking in the 12hr thread, no need to take it out on me.

[peckstar]

Originally Posted by bluesport

Not at all, they are heading in the right direction, I just think it should have been a few years earlier.

Just because you are getting a kicking in the 12hr thread, no need to take it out on me.

Good, although the problem is we dont know the direction yet, lots of speculation still

But good news lexus is showing some genuine interest, time will tell

[Reload]

Originally Posted by peckstar

I better go and check, Im sure they are all maning up and admitting just how wrong they were, Of course i imagine the sky is till falling and some how i am wrong even they i was right

You weren't quick enough to edit your initial response which is just as well as it needed an interpreter.

[Casper]

Originally Posted by Reload

You weren't quick enough to edit your initial response which is just as well as it needed an interpreter.

Alcohol and keyboards do not mix.

[Woolley]

Peckstar, Reload. Knock it off. Thank you.

[TF110]

As it stands, the RC F wont fit. Either the regs open up, or Lexus changes the car they intend to use. Should be a couple years before they intend to enter, so we'll see what happens.