Barbagallo Raceway’s round of the V8 Supercars Championship Series has been axed off this year’s calendar.
V8 Supercars Australia has today confirmed its final 2010 calendar, which includes the City of Ipswich 300 at Queensland Raceway while omitting the Perth event that had been provisionally scheduled for June 4-6.
In a statement today, acting V8 Supercars Australia CEO Shane Howard said that a resolution could not be reached between V8SA and the Western Australia Sporting Car Club regarding the facilities at the circuit.
“It is great news that we have been able to secure the City of Ipswich 300 but disappointing we have been unable to find a workable solution to the similar issues we have at Barbagallo Raceway,” Howard said.
“We are extremely disappointed for all of our fans in WA. As a group we have worked overtime in trying to get this third world facility re-vamped so that both the Paddock and the pit lane meet basic OH&S legislation.
“Despite a reduced sanction fee of around 25 percent of the actual cost for us to race in Perth, committing to a long-term five-year deal and offering the services of Mark Skaife and our engineers to design the new circuit at our cost, we still get a lip service response.
“The situation is best summed up by a recent seven page letter and subsequent letters that have received just a one paragraph response at best. Our WA fans will at least have the extensive free to view live coverage on the 7 Network.
“Hopefully this opens the door for other regions of Western Australia to approach us with a view to bringing one of the world’s greatest Touring Car Championships to a new destination in the future.”
At the Barbagallo Raceway round last year, talks between V8SA, the WASCC and the WA government were, apparently, progressing well, with plans to extend and refurbish Barbagallo Raceway in advanced stages.
The WASCC was unavailable for comment when contacted by Speedcafe.com.au this evening.
The final 2010 V8 Supercar Championship Series Calendar:
| 18 – 20 February | Yas Marina | Abu Dhabi |
| 25 – 27 February | Bahrain | Bahrain |
| 11 – 14 March | Adelaide Parklands | SA |
| 26 – 28 March | Albert Park | Vic |
| 16 – 18 April | Hamilton | NZ |
| 30 April – 2 May | Queensland Raceway | Qld |
| 14 – 16 May | Winton | Vic |
| 18 – 20 June | Hidden Valley | NT |
| 9 – 11 July | Townsville | Qld |
| 10 – 12 Sept | Phillip Island | Vic |
| 7 – 10 Oct | Mt Panorama | NSW |
| 22 – 24 Oct | Gold Coast | Qld |
| 12 – 14 Nov | Symmons Plains | Tas |
| 19 – 21 Nov | Sandown | Vic |
| 3 – 5 Dec | Homebush | NSW |
