Mark Skaife to step down from V8 Commission Chairman role

Ahead of the upcoming V8 Supercar Chairman and independent member elections next month, Mark Skaife has confirmed that he will not contest the election for his current Commission Chairman role. The five-time V8 Supercar champion will now assume the role of Strategic Business Development after completing his two year tenure in October.

Skaife will continue to play a key role in the development of the sport, and will advise the board in accordance with his new role after this year’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000. He will now take on a more business-orientated position while retaining some involvement in the key decisions faced by the category. ¨

During his two-year term as V8 Supercar commission chairman, Skaife oversaw the introduction of the new “Car of the Future” regulations and the subsequent incorporation of two new manufacturers in the category this year. The six-time Bathurst winner was the inaugural Chairman of the Commission and formulated a number of decisive recommendations to the board during his term.
Skaife expressed contentment at a fruitful two year tenure in which the sport progressed significantly both on and off the track.

“I am enormously proud and honoured to be the very first Commission Chair and of the incredible success of the new generation product which has led to the best racing in history,” said the five-time V8 Supercar champion. “The Commission has worked diligently to guide V8 Supercars through the Car of the Future introduction and in making decisive sporting recommendations to the Board. At times there has been robust and passionate debate but that has led to significant outcomes, making the Commission a critical part of the overall governance of the sport.”

“I thank each and every member of the inaugural Commission for their support of me as Chairman; and of the professional and meticulous work it has done”, continued Skaife. “I look forward to stepping up within V8 Supercars in a broader strategic and business development role to assist James and the Board through the next stage of growth.”

V8 Supercar CEO, James Warburton, praised Skaife’s application to the Commission Chairman position and confirmed his progression to the Strategic Business Development role.

“Mark’s contribution as Commission Chairman has been exemplary,” Warburton said. “I have asked Mark and I am delighted that he has accepted the role of Strategic Business Development and Board Advisor. He continues to be a major asset for the sport in this role.”
The candidates for Skaife’s soon-to-be vacated position remain unclear, while the independent Commission member position will also be decided by a parallel election. Chris Lambden has held the position since its establishment in 2011.

Mark Skaife is a key analyst in Channel 7’s V8 Supercar coverage, however it has yet to be confirmed whether the 46 year-old will continue in this role.