A Global Outlook

V8 Supercars has enlisted an international representative to help drive CEO James Warburton's vision to secure more overseas events on the calendar.

As the V8 Supercars took to track at the KL City Grand Prix in Malaysia, Warburton said he'd like to lock in two Asian destinations by 2017.

Rainer Buchmann is helping steer him in the right direction. Based in Singapore, he played a key role in the design and build of the Singapore Formula One circuit, and has been involved in a number of major motorsport categories around the world including Formula One, and champ car as an team owner. He has even raced the Gold Coast event, so he understands elements teams and drivers require at a city street track.

Buchmann's understanding of international motorsport is crucial to Warburton. After watching V8 Supercars race in Townsville, he was convinced he could showcase the spectacular sport around the world.

He believes V8 Supercars is a strong enough package to headline big international motorsport events and is passionate about playing his part in the growth of the sport.

"V8s is a great product and I think it needs more international venues - like in the past, but a little bit better done with more sustainability and to make the series better, give more exposure, more revenue and more excitement for the fans," Buchmann told v8supercars.com.au.

"I think that after F1 and NASCAR in America, it's the best product on the planet at the moment. It is fantastic motorsport."

Buchmann believes the series has already fulfilled its potential in Australia and needs to look offshore to continue to grow although Warburton says only outstanding international events will be part of the sport's future.

When asked what those events might be, all Buchmann would say was: "Basically there are a lot on the radar. Let me put it this way - the product at the moment is easy to sell."

For Warburton, having Buchmann on board will help achieve just that.

"It's one thing to work with representatives, but you need people who absolutely understand every country, the idiosyncracies of the country, understands professional motorsport and what's required," he said.

"Rainer continues to deliver amazing discussions that we're having with a whole host of countries.

"But we have to choose the right ones, we have to invest in the right ones like this demonstration here in KL this year."

The V8 Supercars hit the track for qualifying and racing at the KL City Grand Prix yesterday, with Nissan's Todd Kelly earning pole position and Pepsi Max Ford's Chaz Mostert winning the first challenge. Two challenges remain today.