Chrysler to join V8SC?

[galaxy xr8]

Apparently the projected spend needed to get a suitable aero package for the 300C would have funded a small country for 2 years....

That would explain the financial reasoning behind it, lol.

[HSE2]

Chrysler will not join the V8 Supercars grid in 2013. The company's Australian arm communicated the decision to V8 Supercars and to team owner Garry Rogers this afternoon.






The decision comes after Chrysler Australia's US parent elected not to tip in financial support to back the bid.

Funding from Detroit was always regarded as crucial to the plan for Garry Rogers Motorsport to field two 300C SRT8s from 2013.

Chrysler began considering a V8 Supercar entry because of the category's change to new Car of the Future regulations from 2013, which allows other brands to join Ford and Holden on the grid for the first time in 20 years.

Nissan has already announced it will enter four cars next year via Kelly Racing, rebranded as Nissan Motorsport.

Chrysler's decision means almost certainly Nissan will be the only new manufacturer on the V8 Supercar grid in 2013.

Negotiations are underway with at least one other manufacturer for entry in 2014.

"Essentially at this point in our organisational development it doesn't make financial sense (to go V8 Supercar racing)," explained Chrysler Australia spokesperson Lenore Fletcher. "The SRT8 would have been a terrific vehicle for it, but it's not a high volume vehicle.

"When you work it out on a dollar-per-vehicle basis and you look at what you have to spend in terms of supporting and promoting your commitment it just makes it very difficult and high cost.

"We are not at the point where we are prepared to make that sort of commitment."

However, Fletcher did not rule out the V8 Supercar plan being revisited in the future, perhaps as soon as 12 months from now when 2014 budgets are considered.

"Never say never. It will be interesting to see what happens in the future. Because there is such a lot of support here (Chrysler Australia) I am sure it will be discussed again."

Intriguingly, GRM was not the only V8 Supercar team to approach Chrysler for support to run a V8 Supercar program.

At least one other team is known to have made contact.

Rogers, however, was understood to have the inside running.

CotF project leader and V8 Supercar commission chief Mark Skaife expressed his disappointment at Chrysler's decision.

"I was a firm believer Chrysler was the right sort of brand," Skaife said. "Let's hope the door is not totally shut because it's a course that makes sense for them and the car would be competitive based on the size and dimensions."

[galaxy xr8]

So I wonder who was the "other" team in talk's with Chrysler ?.

[4Vman]

Cant say im surprised....

[FTe217]

Nup not surprised in their current scenario - and TBH the ROI would be bugger all but flying the name, might as well spend more tv adverts, or get more dealers up and running.

[Nikked]

So, where does this leave GRM? Stay with holden or go somewhere else?

[galaxy xr8]

That's interesting, considering the word is now out that GRM has been in talk's with another manufacturer and if given the chance would have jumped at it, Holden would now look down on GRM I would asume and would not treat them in the same manner as previous, so I would guess Mr Roger's will be looking elsewhere.
He has put it out there.

[Nikked]

Ford?

Lol...no way

[Airmon]

Hard to say without knowing
Chryslers plans for the region. You would think if they were entertaining the thought they'd be looking at investing more in the Australian market. Although I guess know they've decided 300c volumes will be too low to justify an expensive bill board.

[TS50]

So I wonder who was the "other" team in talk's with Chrysler ?.

Possibly BJR, they are actively looking for a manufacturer to join up with