CAMS not to interfere in Bathurst 12H/V8 clash

The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport will not step in to resolve the impending Bathurst 12 Hour and V8 Supercars pre-season test clash next year according to CEO Eugene Arocca.

As revealed by Speedcafe.com last month, V8 Supercars has earmarked the February 8-9 weekend of the Bathurst 12 Hour as the date for their two-day pre-season test at Sydney Motorsport clash.

The potential clash has provoked plenty of debate with the situation set to exclude V8 Supercar drivers from competing in the Mount Panorama endurance classic, while also dividing attendances for both events.

V8 Supercars claim the proposed move of the pre-season test is to avoid a clash with the Cricket World Cup, which is also due to be televised by their new broadcast partner Fox Sports.

Arocca says it is not in CAMS‘ remit to interfere in matters of this nature but revealed he is hopeful the situation will resolve itself having spoken to V8 Supercars CEO James Warburton and Bathurst 12 Hour event director James O’Brien.

“Its not our role to come in over the top and start to dictate commercial interests on how they should run their part of the sport, Arocca told Speedcafe.com.

“It would end up in litigation but I do hope in the long run it will work itself out.

“Interfering in commercial matters is always a difficult proposition.

“We are a regulator and promoter in motorsport in terms of development and engagement.

“One view when you have two different channels pushing two different agendas in different parts of the sport which is very good.

“On the other hand we want to make sure we are not dividing the market so we cannot sustain it in the long term.

“I think it will sort itself out I have spoken to both James Warburton and James O’Brien and they know our position, which is basically at this stage is we watch and see how they work it out.”