The Australian Supercar V8 series has announced a management restructure as it looks to expand its international event roster beyond the annual season-opening trip to Abu Dhabi and the annual visit to New Zealand in future years.
The series – which recently announced plans to run its first race in the United States at Austin's Circuit of the America's in 2013 – plans to host as many as six events outside Australia by 2015. It has shifted CEO Martin Whitaker into the newly created role of International Director.
"The V8 Supercars business has evolved over the past 12 months, with a major new shareholder, different ownership structure and V8 Supercars embarking on an ambitious growth plan," explained series chairman Tony Cochrane. "Overseas expansion is a key plank in our strategy and the international motorsport community holds Martin Whitaker in the highest regard.
"Now that our sale process has concluded, it is the ideal time for Martin to focus entirely on opening new doors for V8SA's world-class TV and motorsport offering."
Shane Howard will assume the role of acting CEO in Whitaker's place until a fulltime replacement can be found. The series has also announced Peter Trimble as its general manager, in another newly created role tasked with improving its systems and financial areas.