SBR must prove financial viability, warns Warburton

They’ve got to get the country behind them. JAMES WARBURTON

SUPER Black Racing’s future in Supercars may not be certain next year as the organisation will take a close at the team’s structure and finances.

The only New Zealand team in the category plans big changes for 2017, following the death of team founder Tony Lentino in July.

The Racing Entitlement Contract (the licence to race a car), has been bought from the Lentino family estate by Rusty French,the co-owner of Prodrive Racing Australia.

French has promised to let SBR use it next year, but Supercars CEO James Warburton says it’s not as straightforward as that and they will need to examine whether Super Black Racing have the budget of around $2million to run a car for the season.

‘‘When RECs are transferred or sold there’s a process to go through,’’ Warburton said.

‘‘We’ve had some notification, but there is also some work and some procedural processes that have to be respected and followed through.

‘‘So it’s still a bit early to determine where all of that is at.

‘‘But I think it’s a good thing, whether we have a team in New South Wales or Newcastle, these things are very good if they’re places we go.’’

Super Black haven’t confirmed whether they’ll continue to be a customer of Prodrive Racing Australia, or that current driver Chris Pither or anyone else will continue to be in a Ford.

As well as the financial issues, Warburton would also like to see the team do a better job at getting the country behind them.

At Pukekohe this weekend it’s been the New Zealand drivers Shane van Gisbergen, Scott McLaughlin and Fabian Coulthard that have drawn the most attention.

Super Black Racing have yet to really establish themselves as New Zealand’s team, which could partly because competing under the Prodrive Racing Australia umbrella has confused fans.

The team will have a tougher job getting Kiwis behind them next year when McLaughlin joins Coulthard at DJR Team Penske.

Given the high profile of the drivers, it’s likely that they’re the team New Zealanders will root for. ‘‘It’s been good to have Super Black, they’ve got to activate it in a stronger way and really get the country behind them,’’ Warburton said.

‘‘I don’t think you could say at this point they’ve achieved that and they’d be the first to admit it.

Super Black Racing needs to move quickly to continue its aim, which is to promote young New Zealand drivers.