V8 Supercars are expected to snub Winton Motor Raceway – the spiritual home of Victorian motorsport –when its 2017 schedule is released this week.
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Winton Motor Raceway has been a popular stop for the Supercars, missing an event just three times since 1985.
It is a venue loved by fans because its layout gives spectators a wonderful view of the racing around the 3-kilometre national and 2.03-kilometre club circuits.
Winton’s place in Australian motorsport is steeped in history.
Almost 30 years ago Jim Richards won the first round of the Group A Australian Touring Car Championship at Winton, which was also the first round to be televised by the Seven network.
Peter Brock and Alan Jones had their first race meeting starts at the circuit, which is the home track for Border-based Brad Jones Racing, which continues to do us proud as the only V8 team outside a capital city.
Despite its long history, Winton is not a tired, outdated racetrack.
Millions have been spent on improving the circuit and amenities.
As recently as this year the track was resurfaced and upgraded.
It is understood V8 Supercars have pumped up their appearance fee demands and the track owners, Benalla Auto Club – the only standalone promoter on the V8 Supercars calendar – is not able to pay the asking price.
All signs are pointing to V8 Supercars getting too far ahead of themselves with visions of grandeur as they try to “grow the brand”.
Racing in the Middle East, Asia or North America might impress broadcast rights holders and big investors, but does nothing to grow the brand where it matters most. There were 70,000 V8 diehards trackside at Winton in May.
The series added millions to the North East economy and created dozens of jobs. All those who benefited in some way would look on the V8 Supercars favourably.
The words of Richards, a V8 Supercars hall of fame driver, on the podium after the 1992 Bathurst race seem apt:
“This is bloody disgraceful. I’ll keep racing but I tell you what, this is going to remain with me for a long time.”
If V8s bypass Winton, the Benalla Auto Club will keep racing but its members might find a new target for the final sentence in Richards’ famous 1992 Bathurst spray.