Editing Supercars Championship (section)

====Project Blueprint====
[[File:Todd Kelly Barbagello.jpg|thumb|225px|right|[[Todd Kelly]]'s 2003 [[Holden Commodore (VY)|Holden VY Commodore]]]]

Discussions about parity had returned in 2000, with {{convert|100|mm|in}} trimmed from the front spoiler of the Commodore after Holden, in particular, the [[Walkinshaw Andretti United|Holden Racing Team]], had dominated in 1998 and 1999. This was in response to the {{convert|300|mm|in}} removed from the Falcon in previous seasons, and coincided with a {{convert|10|mm|in}} trim from the Falcon's rear spoiler. The small reduction for the Holden teams was quickly addressed with both cars receiving the same front splitter shortly afterwards, but the Falcon's rear wing remained trimmed. Ford had threatened to withdraw from the series, but nothing came of this.<ref>Greenhalgh, Howard, Wilson (2011), p. 404</ref> After Holden again dominated in 2001 and 2002, a new set of regulations, dubbed "Project Blueprint", was introduced in [[2003 V8 Supercar Championship Series|2003]] to close the performance gap between the Commodore and the Falcon,<ref name="50Y 431">Greenhalgh, Howard, Wilson (2011), p. 431</ref> thus creating closer, fairer racing.<ref name="HSW V8">{{cite web | url=http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-racing/motorsports/v8-supercars-championship-series2.htm | title=How the V8 Supercars Championship Series Works – The Making of a V8 Supercar | last=Lampton | first=Christopher | date=7 November 2011 | publisher=HowStuffWorks.com | access-date=22 March 2013}}</ref> Project Blueprint was developed by Paul Taylor and Wayne Cattach, who spent two years designing a formula which would eliminate most of the differences between the Fords and Holdens.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.speedcafe.com/2011/12/16/paul-taylor/ | title=Paul Taylor | work=Speedcafe | date=16 December 2011 | access-date=22 March 2013 | archive-date=14 May 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514010116/http://www.speedcafe.com/2011/12/16/paul-taylor/ | url-status=dead }}</ref>

Project Blueprint had the chassis pick-up points, [[wheelbase]], [[Axle track|track]], and driving position become common across both manufacturers. The Holdens were now able and required to use [[Double wishbone suspension|double-wishbone]] front suspension, similar to that of the Falcon, rather than the [[MacPherson strut]]s used previously, and a Watts link at the rear rather than a Panhard. The aerodynamic packages were comprehensively tested and revised and differences in the [[Cylinder head porting|porting]] of each of the manufacturers' engines were also removed.<ref name="50Y 431" /><ref>Clarke, Wensley (2007), p. 128</ref> The performance of the new [[Ford BA Falcon]] and [[Holden Commodore (VY)|Holden VY]] and [[Holden Commodore (VZ)|VZ Commodores]] was fairly even for the next four years, with Ford winning the championship in 2003, [[2004 V8 Supercar Championship Series|2004]], and [[2005 V8 Supercar Championship Series|2005]] and Holden winning in [[2006 V8 Supercar Championship Series|2006]].<ref>Clarke, Wensley (2007), p. 211</ref> Reverse-grid races were used at certain events in 2006 before unpopularity with the drivers, teams, and fans saw them abolished halfway through the season.<ref>Clarke, Wensley (2007), p. 182</ref>

[[File:Mark Skaife 2009 Sydney 500 Launch.jpg|thumb|left|150px|[[Mark Skaife]], five-time series champion and leader of the new generation V8 Supercar project]]

The [[Holden Commodore (VE)|Holden VE Commodore]] caused controversy when it was introduced in [[2007 V8 Supercar Championship Series|2007]]. The production model was longer, wider, and taller than the rival [[Ford Falcon (BF)|Ford BF Falcon]] and outside of the limits set by Project Blueprint. As a result, the VE race car was granted custom bodywork – namely shortened rear doors and a lowered roofline to meet the regulations.<ref>Grennhalgh, Howard, Wilson (2011), p. 473</ref> Despite this, the VE was approved for use in the series, along with the BF Falcon, after several months of preseason testing.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/31062/ve-and-bf-ready-to-duke-it-out/ | title=VE and BF ready to duke it out | work=[[The Border Mail]] | publisher=[[Fairfax Media]] | date=25 January 2007 | access-date=23 March 2013}}</ref> [[Sequential gearbox]]es were introduced in [[2008 V8 Supercar Championship Series|2008]] and became compulsory by the end of the year.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/motor-sports/supercars-changing-with-times/story-e6frf3z3-1111115566495#.UVLEtxwzhyI | title=Supercars changing with times | last=Innes | first=Stuart | work=Fox Sports News | date=16 February 2008 | access-date=27 March 2013}}</ref> In [[2009 V8 Supercar Championship Series|2009]], [[E85]] (a fuel consisting of 85% [[ethanol]] and 15% [[unleaded petrol]]) was introduced in an effort to improve the environmental image of the sport. Carbon dioxide emissions decreased by up to 50%, but fuel consumption was increased by 30% to produce the same power as before.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.smh.com.au/sport/v8-supercars-to-switch-to-ethanol-20081010-4y1f.html | title=V8 Supercars to switch to ethanol | work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] | date=10 October 2008 | access-date=25 March 2013 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905113541/http://news.smh.com.au/sport/v8-supercars-to-switch-to-ethanol-20081010-4y1f.html | archive-date=5 September 2013}}</ref> 2009 also had the introduction of a soft compound tyre at certain events to try to improve the quality of the racing and create different strategies.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.jaxquickfit.com.au/dunlop-sp-sport-maxx-sprint-winton | title=Dunlop to introduce its new V8 Sport Maxx "Sprint" tyre at Winton | work=Jax Quickfit Tyres | date=April 2009 | access-date=25 March 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130427033027/http://www.jaxquickfit.com.au/dunlop-sp-sport-maxx-sprint-winton | archive-date=27 April 2013 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>Greenhalgh, Howard, Wilson (2011), p. 492</ref>

In 2005, AVESCO changed its name to V8 Supercars Australia (VESA).<ref name="10Y 14" /> The series continued to expand during this time, with races held outside of [[Australasia]] for the first time. The series travelled to the [[Shanghai International Circuit]] in [[China]] in 2005, originally on a five-year agreement,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2004-07-20/china-to-host-v8-supercar-championship/2012152 | title=China to host V8 Supercar championship | work=ABC News | date=20 July 2004 | access-date=23 March 2013}}</ref> however the promoter of the race dropped their support and the series did not return thereafter.<ref>Grennhalgh, Howard, Wilson (2011), p. 453</ref> 2006 saw the series travel to the [[Middle East]], with an event held at the [[Bahrain International Circuit]] in [[Bahrain]].<ref name="10Y 16" /> Multiple new street circuits appeared on the calendar in 2008 and 2009, with new events held in [[Hamilton Street Circuit|Hamilton]] in [[New Zealand]],<ref>Grennhalgh, Howard, Wilson (2011), p. 484</ref> [[Townsville]] in [[North Queensland]] and at [[Sydney Olympic Park]].<ref>Grennhalgh, Howard, Wilson (2011), p. 495–499</ref> The series' Middle East expansion continued in 2010 with a second round held at the [[Yas Marina Circuit]] in [[Abu Dhabi]].<ref name="50Y 503" /> In November 2010, the series was granted international status by the FIA for the [[2011 International V8 Supercars Championship|2011 season]], allowing the series to race at up to six international venues each year. As a result, the series name was changed to the 'International V8 Supercars Championship'.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport-old/motor-sport-old/v8-supercars-granted-international-series-status/story-e6frepn6-1225949832162 | title=V8 Supercars granted international series status | last=Jackson | first=Ed | work=The Courier Mail | date=9 November 2010 | access-date=27 March 2013}}</ref>

2008 saw the separate boards of directors of VESA and TEGA merge into a single board that was solely responsible for the administration of the category. The new board of directors was composed of four TEGA representatives, two members from SEL and two independent directors.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.touringcartimes.com/2008/03/28/v8-supercars-board-streamlined/ | title=V8 Supercars board streamlined | work=Touring Car Times | date=28 March 2008 | access-date=23 March 2013}}</ref> In 2011, TEGA and SEL entered a sale agreement with Australian Motor Racing Partners (AMRP), which had significant financial backing from [[Archer Capital]]. This agreement saw SEL lose its 25% stake in V8 Supercars, with Archer Capital taking up a 60% share and TEGA the other 40%. A new board of directors was appointed, with two TEGA representatives and two AMRP representatives.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.speedcafe.com.au/2011/05/17/v8-supercars-confirm-new-ownership-structure/ | title=V8 Supercars confirm new ownership structure | work=Speedcafe | date=17 May 2011 | access-date=23 March 2013 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625120006/http://www.speedcafe.com.au/2011/05/17/v8-supercars-confirm-new-ownership-structure/ | archive-date=25 June 2013}}</ref>

In 2011, Archer Capital purchased a 65% shareholding in the series with the teams owning the other 35%.<ref>[https://autoaction.com.au/2021/07/01/supercars-buy-out-plans-revealed Supercars buy-out plans revealed] ''Auto Action'' 1 July 2021</ref> In December 2021, both Archer Capital and the teams sold their shareholdings to Race Australia Consolidated Enterprises.<ref>[https://mumbrella.com.au/race-acquires-supercars-715404 RACE acquired Supercars] ''[[Mumbrella]]'' 29 November 2021</ref>

{{Clear}}

[[File:Scott McLaughlin 2014 Sydney Motorsport Park 400.JPG|thumb|225px|right|Through the new rules manufacturers such as Volvo were able to enter cars in the series.]]