Photo: Polestar

Volvo Polestar Racing positive about V8 Supercars future

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Volvo Polestar Racing has given a positive indication on their future V8 Supercars Championship involvement when the current contract ends after the 2016 season.
“This is a championship we definitely want to be in. It has been part of our discussions and part of the reason I am here is to discuss the future of the programme,” said Hans Bååth, head of marketing at Polestar to motoring.com.au at the Gold Coast race.

2017 will see the introduction of the new Gen2 regulations, which will allow turbo engines and other body types. While Volvo is pushing hard for their four-cylinder strategy in road cars, changing from the V8 is not a prerequisite for Volvo Polestar Racing.

“It is not a prerequisite. I think we are definitely interested in where it (Gen2) is going. If it takes off in 2017 or 2018 and manufacturers jump on it, then I think we will let the future decide that. We can continue with the setup as we have it,” said Bååth.

The programme is maintained together with Volvo Cars Australia where Managing Director Kevin McCann has previously stated that a decision regarding continuation beyond 2016 will be taken closer to the end of 2016.

“This is a national championship and the business case has to be built in Australia. So if we together with Kevin – or Volvo Cars Australia – can build a solid business case that we really see supports sales then it is very easy for me to support Kevin to continue,” said Bååth.

Previous speculations on that Volvo and Polestar would pull out of motorsport seems to be gone with an extensive programme next year for the Swedish manufacturer in V8 Supercars, STCC and the FIA World Touring Car Championship.

“All our (Polestar’s) marketing activities are based on motorsport; next season we have the Swedish Touring Car Championship with two cars, seven races; we have the world touring car championship with two cars, 12 races; and we have V8 Supercars with two cars, 16 races,” said Bååth.

Polestar was bought by Volvo Cars earlier this year to become the performance brand of the Swedish manufacturer. Polestar Racing continues under the ownership of Christian Dahl and changes its name to Cyan Racing. Volvo Polestar Racing is still used as team name in the V8 Supercars Championship while the STCC and WTCC will use Polestar Cyan Racing.