I remember racing back in the eighties at events that featured both the cars and bikes, and they were always a great success bringing together some of the countries leading motorsport drivers and riders at one action-packed weekend. With Dunlop the tyre of choice in both the V8s and the Superbikes, it is a great fit for their motorsport platform as well.

At the end of the day though, motorsport is in the entertainment industry so anything that adds value for the spectators can only be a good thing. In addition, the Superbikes will benefit from the added exposure they will receive from the huge audience that the V8s have, and the V8s will have an added feature on their undercard for the fans to enjoy. It really is a win-win situation and Phillip Island is the ideal location with the track great for both forms of racing.

One of the biggest challenges to the concept is that not all tracks are suitable to host both categories, primarily due to safety requirement differences such as fencing. There are quite a few facilities where it is possible though, and if it works there is no reason why this won’t become a regular fixture on the calendar next year.

It is a coup for the event to have the spectacular mix on one of the few circuits in the country that caters for both world-class touring car racing and world-class two wheelers.

With Dunlop supplying the control tyres for the V8 Supercar Championship Series, as well as being the tyre of choice in the Australian Superbike Championship including use by all of the factory teams, it is also set to be a big weekend for the Dunlop Motorsport team.

“It’s been an idea that we have been working on for many years,” V8 Supercar Chief Operating Officer Shane Howard said of the unique dual format.

“In the past the calendars haven’t matched up which has made it very difficult but now, in 2009, we have the opportunity to host the Superbikes and the Australian stars of the sport.”

To announce the partnership, current Australian Superbike Champion Glenn Allerton and second-place Josh Waters rode an exhibition lap at the V8 Supercar Sandown Challenge, which was also the third race for soft option Dunlop SP Sport Maxx ‘Sprint’ tyre in the V8 Series.

SANDOWN CHALLENGE EVENT RESULTS

Saturday Race Winner – Race 13 of the V8 Supercar Championship Series
1st: Will Davison – Holden Racing Team
2nd: James Courtney – Dick Johnson Racing
3rd: Craig Lowndes – Triple 8 Racing

Sunday Race Winner – Race 14 of the V8 Supercar Championship Series
1st: Garth Tander – Holden Racing Team
2nd: Will Davison – Holden Racing Team
3rd: Jamie Whincup – Triple 8 Racing