Supercars could become the "major supporting attraction" at the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix as part of V8 racing's "revived" int'l expansion plans, according to Mark Fogarty of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Singapore GP organizers reportedly "sounded out Supercars on joining the undercard as the main daytime drawcard at the popular F1 night street race event." It would force the Sandown 500 in Melbourne to be moved because "its traditional mid-September slot in the calendar clashes with the running of the Singapore GP." Supporting F1 in Singapore is Supercars' "latest opportunity in a renewed push to gain a foothold" outside of Australia and New Zealand, targeting southeast Asia after "short-lived forays" to China, the Middle East and the U.S. Along with the Singapore GP, there is interest in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia for standalone Supercars events. The V8 teams are "keen to race in Singapore because in addition to the financial windfall of a multimillion-dollar sanctioning fee, racing alongside F1 at the island city-state would appeal to sponsors with interests in the region." Supercars CEO James Warburton confirmed "there was serious interest in putting the V8s on the Singapore GP support race program." Warburton said, "Yeah, love to be there. We've had some discussions, but it's a long way from fruition" (SMH, 6/24).
