V8 Supercars will build the prototype Car of the Future
The V8 Supercars series itself will oversee the design and build of the prototype ‘car of the future’, which will become the blueprint for new cars from 2012.
Two cars will be built, with identical components and chassis construction. The only differences allowed will be the shell. The two prototypes will be shelled as a Ford Falcon FG, and a Holden Commodore VE – the cars of the manufacturers that are the mainstay of the Australian series.
Pace Innovations will be tasked with the build of the prototypes, which will be overseen by the championship itself – with completion estimated for April 2011.
Adam Perry, V8 Supercars Australia Director of Racing explains:
“At that stage we will hand over a full build specification to teams so they can commence building the cars and of course because it’s been built and tested they will not have the same issues they’ve had with prototypes in the past,”
“Because the design is not really a Ford or Holden design and the chassis is the same, V8 Supercars has said we will take on the building.”
The approach bears similarity to the approach being taken by TOCA for the British Touring Car Championship, although in that case, the car will be a front wheel drive 2.0 litre turbocharged vehicle, which is due to be unveiled at the final round of the 2010 championship at Brands Hatch.
The Car of the Future programme also allows for other manufacturers to potentially enter the championship, something which has not been seen in it’s current format, and not seen in the top-line Australian Touring championships since the late 1990’s. At the moment though, only Ford & Holden are commited to the championship.
