Global GT boss Stephane Ratel says he’s happy to work with V8 Supercars once it completes a planned takeover of the Bathurst 12 Hour.
The architect of the successful Blancpain GT Series is a keen admirer of Australia’s international endurance race at Mount Panorama and has been monitoring recent developments surrounding its future.
The news came after Ratel’s SRO Group increased its Bathurst 12 Hour involvement for 2016; agreeing to supply race director Claude Surmont in addition to the ongoing use of its Balance of Performance rules.
French businessman Ratel says he has not been involved in discussions with O’Brien and V8 Supercars over the mooted sale, but is keen to remain a part of the event.
“We are involved in all kinds of GT events around the world and all kinds of different promoters,” Ratel told Speedcafe.com.
“From Pirelli World Challenge in America to Super GT in Japan and also in Macau, so if they (V8 Supercars) are professionals in motorsport I would be pleased to work with them.
“If they need us beyond the existing agreement we would be happy to work with them, if they don’t need us then that is fine.
“From my understanding there are talks but there is no conclusion.
“For the moment we do have a contract in place to take a bigger responsibility at the event for next year in regards to technical regulations and BoP. I think that will stand because we have an agreement.
“I believe their intention if they buy the race is to continue with GT, so if it continues with GT they might appreciate our knowledge of GT3.”
Ratel has earmarked the Bathurst 12 Hour as an event to be included in a new Asia Pacific GT3 Endurance series.
The Mount Panorama event would be linked with the Sepang 12 Hour, Macau and another yet-to-be announced endurance race.
Although plans for the series hinge on the success of SRO’s latest project, the Sepang 12 Hour (December 11-13), Ratel says a change of ownership may potentially alter his bid to include Bathurst in the series.
“It all depends on the intention of V8 Supercars,” Ratel added.
“If they have an interest in getting this race to develop the GT3 race then what was making sense for James (O’Brien) may make sense for them.
“If they get the event because they don’t want competition to V8 Supercars and they want to make it smaller, then it all depends on the intentions.
“Do they want to make it big or to turn it down?
“If they want grow it then to make it part of larger international Asia Pacific series makes sense in my opinion.
“All I need is more events, as you can see I am busy (with Sepang and Macau)
“It is nice to have the Asia Pacific Series but it is not a must have.
“For the moment if Sepang has to remain a stand alone among another two standalone events in Bathurst and Macau then fine.
“They are three prestigious events and if there is a way to link Sepang, Bathurst and something else in the future then I will be very happy, but it is not an absolute necessity.”
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