Inside Supercars column: V8 Supercars team inquires about racing Ford Mustang in 2017

THE dream of a Ford Mustang in the V8 Supercars series is one step closer to becoming a reality with a team making an official inquiry about running the American muscle machine in 2017 when the Falcon is axed.

Inside Supercars can reveal that at least one V8 team — not Prodrive Australia — have asked V8 Supercars to provide early information on what they would need to do to get the iconic Mustang on the grid to take on the Holden Commodore.
While Ford’s official involvement remains in doubt with a manufacturer bid to provide funding seemingly the brand’s only hope, the Mustang inquiry shows it’s increasingly likely the Ford name at least will stay on the grid from 2017.
“A team has already expressed a desire to develop a Mustang,’’ a V8 Supercars official confirmed.
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“We want iconic cars, halo cars, on the grid and we are hopeful the Mustang will be one of them.’’

V8 Supercars are expected to release a 90-page draft document by August which will make the entry of two-door cars like the Mustang possible from 2017.
The Generation 2 platform document will be sent out globally and it is hoped at least one of the five new makes that the sport claim they are in negotiations with will commit to the sport by the end of the year.
“We have to get commitments this year,’’ a V8s insider said.
“2017 will be here before we know it and there is a lot of work ahead.’’
Surprisingly Prodrive Australia — the outfit that currently runs four Ford Falcons — is not the team that has expressed interest in running the Mustang.
Ford axed Prodrive last year as the famous manufacturer officially severe funding ties with the sport.
Prodrive still have several secondary Ford-related deals and a move to the Mustang seems like a logical choice.

V8 SUPERCARS could secure their international future by the end of the week with CEO James Warburton flying out to Asia today to meet with several track promoters.
While Warburton refuses to give away any information about the trip — except that he is going — it is understood he could return with a signed contract to renew the sport’s international ambitions following failed stints in America and the Middle East.

WHICH star driver — reportedly on contract for next year — has been selling himself to rival teams through a third party?
Two outfits have told this column that a person claiming to represent the driver said the former Bathurst winner was available for next season despite supposedly being contracted to a team.