Honda has become the fourth manufacturer to confirm approval for the SCV8 Supercar Championship. Approval from Honda for its Accord brand to be represented, takes the all-new championship to within one manufacturer of its target of five brands for 2004.
So far approved cars include the Honda Accord, Jaguar X Type, Peugeot (2004 Saloon) and the Vauxhall Vectra.
Andy Rouse, four-time BTCC Champion and creator of the SCV8 concept said: “This is fantastic news. We never expected to confirm four brands so quickly following the announcement of the series on 1 July. To have such respected manufacturers approving the use of their brands within the series is extremely positive for the championship and demonstrates the serious level of interest that exists in SCV8 Supercars
.”
SCV8 features a team franchise scheme where leading race teams will apply to exclusively represent one of the five brands, with each franchise holder building four cars to create a 20-car grid for 2004. Each of the five franchise teams can enter all four cars themselves or sell up to two of them for entry via appointed satellite teams. In future years, the grid will expand to eight manufacturer brands to provide the ultimate 32-car grid.
The SCV8 Supercar Championship is already well ahead of target for its 2004 launch. The Jaguar X-Type SCV8 successfully completed its initial shakedown tests last Friday at Silverstone, and a comprehensive database of teams and drivers have expressed serious interest in the championship. Allied to a high level of commercial interest from sponsors to television and now the acceptance of four manufacturers, the SCV8 Championship is ahead of schedule on all fronts.
SCV8 has been developed with the aim of bringing fans a series that features the excitement and spectacle of extremely high performance, yet easily recognisable, saloon cars for fast and furious championship racing. The V8, 550bhp, rear wheel drive configuration of the cars guarantees crowd pleasing action and has been designed to put the wow! factor back into British motor racing.