Highly experienced motor racing administrator Didier Debae has been appointed as acting Chief Executive of the V8 SuperTourers as the fledgling category undergoes a structural shake up.
The move comes almost a month after Debae was announced as the category’s Operations Manager.
The Belgian will also become the mouthpiece for V8 SuperTourers by taking responsibility for public affairs and for all media comment pertaining to the V8ST Championship and Events.
More management changes are expected to be flagged and implemented by next month.
Debae assumes a greater role in V8 SuperTourers as the Ford and Holden formula prepares for its maiden three-round endurance format that kicks off with the Fathers Day 400 meeting at Taupo from September 1-2.
V8 SuperTourers is trying to entice high profile European drivers for the long distance races.
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Feelers have been put out in Europe in the wake of a call by V8 Supercars Australia chairman Tony Cochrane for his full-time drivers not to link for any teams in the New Zealand series enduros.
“Whilst money is certainly a factor, several of the potential European drivers we are talking to are just as interested in competing here in New Zealand for the first time,” Debae said.
“A couple of these potential drivers already know the Taupo circuit and New Zealand from their A1 Grand Prix days and there is plenty of interest in competing in our Taupo event as well as the big one at Pukekohe and the grand finale at Ruapuna.”
Debae is highly connected in Northern Hemisphere motor racing chiefly in World and European Touring Car Championships and has held positions as the Williams Touring Car team manager and was the Sporting Director for Opel’s DTM programme.
Speedcafe.com understands that former Williams Renault British Touring Car star Alain Menu is among the European drivers currently in discussions with the New Zealand series.
A comprehensive list of the Taupo driving combinations is expected to be released shortly.
