Former Director of European Motorsport at Ford and current Bahrain International Circuit CEO Martin Whitaker, is the new CEO of V8 Supercars Australia.

The appointment of the highly respected sports administrator will be seen as a major boost in the profile and credibility of the category in the International motorsport scene.

Making the announcement V8 Supercars Australia Chairman  Tony Cochrane said that Whitaker’s signing “is an outstanding testimony to the size and quality of our business and our sport.”

“Martin will join an excellent management team and help build the sport throughout Australia, the Pacific, Asia and the Indian sub continents.” he said.

Whitaker will take up the appointment following the opening round of the FIA Formula One World Championship in Bahrain, he replaces Shane Howard in the position. Howard will continue to serve until Whitaker arrives in April.

In a media release issued by V8 Supercars Australia Whitaker said he was delighted with the appointment.

“This is a magnificent opportunity for me and one that I am very much looking forward to” he said.

“It is difficult to imagine a better time to be involved with V8 Supercars as its reputation and widening global appeal is going through a significant increase.

Whitaker’s appointment follows a unanimous Board decision to re-elect Tony Cochrane for a further two years as Chairman of VESA.

Cochrane said as he continues the Chairmanship he looked forward to working with the Board and Whitaker in continuing to grow the sport.

“It is a tremendous honour to be Chairman of this sport for such an extended period, as I look back over the terrific progress made over the past thirteen years with V8 Supercars,” he said.

“However, with big plans to be unveiled in the coming months, the car of the future on our door step and the appointment of Martin to the CEO role, I believe the next five years will be even greater than the substantial achievements to date.”

Cochrane announced that next two months will see an number of major announcements including major new media and TV deals, a new marketing campaign featuring US star “Pink” as well as a number of new major sponsorship signings.