Plans afoot for V8 Supercars to race in Bali

THE V8 Supercars are set to continue their international march with Bali the latest destination linked to the sport's global attack.

Jamie Whincup

THE V8 Supercars are set to continue their international march with Bali the latest destination linked to the sport's global attack.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal the sport's governing body were approached by a Bali consortium last month, who want the V8s to be the headline act at a new circuit near Denpasar, scheduled to be completed in 2014.

In a bid to further expose Bali as a tourist destination, the Indonesian province has commissioned the construction of a category two race circuit with a Singapore investment group backing the ambitious project.

It is understood the consortium also hopes to snag a high profile motorcycle racing category, most likely Moto-GP.

A V8 Supercars source yesterday confirmed the approach and said the Australian category would strongly consider adding a Bali round to the calendar in 2015.

"The category has met with representatives from the proposed circuit," the source said.

"They are building a track, which is about an hour away from Denpasar. They are looking at a large investment and have targeted V8 Supercars to be one of two major global racing categories to put the track on the map.

"Obviously V8s are very appealing as Australian's are very important to their tourism market. It will help them push their message."

V8 Supercars were granted an FIA international license last year in a coup that has paved the way for the sport's international expansion.

The Ford v Holden category, which will be next year joined by Nissan, already races in Abu Dhabi and will begin a bold push into North American with a race in Austin, Texas.

The Daily Telegraph has been told a date for the American race, to be held at Circuit of the America's (COA), will be announced next month.

V8 Supercars had another international race slated in for November this year, following the Abu Dhabi round, but were unable to find a suitable host and switched the race to Winton in Victoria.

It has been revealed at least one more international event will be added to the calendar next year. Mexico and another USA race have been discussed, but it is understood the sport is close to signing a deal with an Asian country.

"It will be in south east Asia," said the source. "I understand it is very close to being a done deal."

The championship resumes next weekend with the V8 Supercars returning to Eastern Creek - now called the Sydney Motorsport Park - after a five-year absence.

Holden's Jamie Whincup leads the championship with Ford duo Mark Winterbottom and Will Davison giving chase.