Cochrane, Panoz scheduling clash
31/12/2000 13:18 (V8 Wire - Jason Whittaker) - A possible showdown between American Sportscar patron Don Panoz and V8 Supercar supremo Tony Cochrane could erupt next year over a clash in scheduling.
Melbourne’s Sunday Age newspaper today reports that both men refuse to budge from an early December date on which key events in their respective Championships are due to be held.
Panoz’s Adelaide Le Mans showcase is scheduled for December 2 next year (this year’s inaugural race will be run later tonight), while the V8 Supercars’ new-look, season-ending Sandown Raceway Championship finale has been pencilled-in on the same date.
The American billionaire and Series founder says his Sportscars have the right of way, and has approached Motorsport governing body CAMS to resolve the dispute.
"We have approached CAMS and sought their help. I hope CAMS finds a solution," Panoz told The Age yesterday.
"We published that date first and December 2 is the date that works best. We have a really major problem changing the date," he said.
AVESCO released its 2001 schedule in the first week of October.
Many of the Supercar fraternity could be involved in next year’s race (Jason Bright, Greg Murphy and Brad Jones will race later tonight) and both events draw on the same support categories.
It is believed world governing body the FIA, which sanctions both events, could intervene in the dispute.
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