Full Throttle

The V8 Supercars round in Perth has been scrapped by the sport’s governing body, with officials labeling the circuit “third world.”

V8 Supercars Australia (V8SA) released a final 2010 calendar on Monday, reinstating the City of Ipswich 300 at Queensland Raceway, but dropping the event at Barbagallo Raceway.

The Western Australian circuit was having issues with V8 Supercars, which was keen to have the facilities upgraded before committing to stay there.

But V8SA acting chief executive Shane Howard says a breakdown in negotiations between the two parties forced the decision to drop Perth from this year’s championship.

Howard said problems surrounding occupational health and safety issues were the main concern.

“It is great news that we have been able to secure the City of Ipswich 300 but disappointing we have been unable to find a workable solution to the similar issues we have at Barbagallo Raceway,” Howard said.

Barbagallo Raceway is the only full-length Championship Race track in Western Australia.

“As a group we have worked overtime in trying to get this third world facility re-vamped so that both the paddock and the pit lane meet basic OH and S legislation.”

The Queensland Raceway event, which was canceled earlier in the year but reinstated last week, will be held from April 30 to May 2.

The newly named Gold Coast “SuperCarnivale“ will be a three-day event from October 22-24, while the Symmons Plains round in Tasmania has been moved back a week and will be held from November 12-14.

The V8 Supercar championship begins next week in Abu Dhabi with the Yas V8400 from February 18-20 followed by the Desert 400 in Bahrain.

A nine-week break punctuates the season, lasting from mid-July to mid-September.