Hey everyone, I heard that selected Fujitsu series teams are going to be allowed to run in the L&H 500 and Bathurst 1000 next year. Can anyone back this up, I'm wondering if it is true??

Yep, V8 Supercars Australia released an article about this some time ago - I'll search for it later.

I believe the top 10 development series teams are "invited" to join the races.

2003 was the year to do this??

i may be wrong, but it will be great to see this happen

I remember seeing it in at least 2001 (was on a crashes video)...

I think this is a top idea if its true. Why shouldn't they. It would mean less drivers available for the main game teams second car, which would open up the door for more international drivers for the second cars. The more cars at the enduros(especially Bathurst) the better. Should give the fast blokes more obstacles to tackle

I would like to see it happen, but I know that the top teams would complain loudly that "you can't let those amateurs race amongst our professional drivers", and as soon as a Fujitsu driver makes a mistake, they would be baying for blood. Of course, the "professional" drivers would not make a mistake, now would they? If a top driver makes a mistake, it is because it was "unavoidable".

Lets say a Fujitsu driver gets hit from behind by CL for instance, it was because he was "in the way", if CL is hit from behind by a Fujitsu driver, it is because the Fujitsu driver is an incompetent amateur. I can't see how the Fujitsu series can run in the main game for more than a few times before the top teams decide that they don't want them there.


Every year there are less and less starters for Bathurst, it would be great to get the numbers back up again. I would vote for it.

My veiw-is the more cars-the better:woohoo:

interesting to see who would enter. Howard Racing, Sonic Motorsport, MW Motorsport etc would be the main ones.

45 cars on the grid nothing better

My understanding of this idea was clarified a bit by talking with some of the teams, the idea is great in theory, but when I was last talking about it they still hadn't clarified exactly what the process would be. Last I heard it would be a pick your name out of the hat and then you can accept or decline, the other one that I heard was that it would be picked by V8SA and not neccisarily the tops teams. I did hear one VERY concerning thing about it, apparently the teams would have to run cars that are current spec, so VE, BF or FG, which would limit the entries or force them to spend more money and buy a new car.

I also heard that the entries might first be offered to main game teams for them to run a second or third car, which in its self isn't a bad idea but will defeat the purpose of opening it up to Fujitsu teams by cutting down on available entries.

The Rules also state the only 34 cars are permitted to enter the Enduro races, 30 V8 Supercars VCS REC Holders and 4 Wild Card Entrants to be allocated subject to V8Supercar Board Approval, it doesn't actually say where they will come from.

Armageddon wrote:
I did hear one VERY concerning thing about it, apparently the teams would have to run cars that are current spec, so VE, BF or FG, which would limit the entries or force them to spend more money and buy a new car.

A very good point and something I didn't pick up on or know about. The days of the Fujitsu series being a low cost development path to the main series are long gone. The teams with the cash will only get stronger.

Applications for entry into the Wild card Enduro entries closed yesterday, along with this came more info through Mnews.

"Applicants must provide details regarding what equipment they intend to use, who will be running the cars, the drivers who be entered, confirmed sponsors, and the available budget. Given the tough financial times, there is likely to be some leniency regarding actual confirmations for drivers and budgets. Along with those details, applicants must submit $2500 of the $10000 entry fee, refundable for unsuccessful applicants.

For equipment, there are some rules regarding eligibility. The car must fall under the required rules for the 2009 Fujitsu Series, it must be fitted with the control brake discs and pads from the main series (but not calipers),
must comply with main series engine weight, must be refueled with a control refueling tower, and must be fitted with a V8 Supercar judicial camera.

Once an applicant is accepted, there are some conditions. The wildcard entry must compete at both Phillip Island and Bathurst, they will not be eligible for appearance payment (but can
still earn prize money), and will be located in the last four garages on pit lane, despite any associations with a main series team.

One unofficial rule is that the ‘wildcards’ aren’t supposed to detract from the Fujitsu Series field at Bathurst, so applicants who have submissions that don’t involve a car currently competing in the development series will
have a good show. That means the Sprint Gas Racing/Greg Murphy Racing alliance is well suited, as it will allow Sam Walter to compete in a VE Commodore in the main race, and his regular VZ Commodore in the FV8 races.
The submissions closed yesterday (Monday), and the four spots will be decided by the Board on June 10."

I think this actually creates a few more questions!