The V8 Supercar Championship Series has found the perfect deciding venue with the return to the Phillip Island circuit, according to the sport’s most celebrated driver Mark Skaife.

The event was launched in unique fashion today when six V8 Supercar drivers showed their skills in a very different fashion when they teamed up with Australia’s best rowers for a Ford/Holden showdown in two specially branded eights on the Yarra River.

It was part of the event that was launched by former World Cup freestyle skiing champion Kirstie Marshall in her role as the Member for Forest Hill representing the Premier Steve Bracks, BigPond’s Director of Marketing Amanda Johnston, James Tomkins of ‘Oarsome Foursome’ fame and AVESCO Chief Executive Officer Wayne Cattach.

The Holden crew of Greg Murphy, Rick Kelly and Jason Richards were victorious in the rowing showdown, convincingly winning ahead of Ford’s Jason Bright, Jason Bargwanna and Greg Ritter and marking a possible revival for Holden in the remainder of the V8 Supercar Championship Series and in particular the BigPond Grand Finale.

The magnificent Phillip Island track in Victoria returns to the V8 Supercar Series on November 25-27 after a short absence, promising spectators and drivers with one of the most exciting events in motor racing.

Five-time V8 Supercar champion Skaife believes the 4.44km circuit is the best purpose-built track in the country and offers the fairest possible opportunity to decide the Championship.

Skaife, the Holden Racing Team boss, has met with considerable success on the Victorian track, winning four times and grabbing two poles in the 10 previous Championships outings.

“It’s the best purpose built circuit in the Championship by far,” Skaife said.

“It’s a track that rewards the best drivers. I am thrilled to be going back there. There’s no better track in Australia to decide a Championship than Phillip Island.”

Skaife believes from a driver’s perspective that Phillip Island rates as the favourite of the year.

“When Phillip Island is not on our schedule there’s definitely not the same quality of tracks to compete on. It’s the only European style race track in Australia with fast and flowing corners, and we have always had great races there.”

The key to Skaife’s pleasure is that the track offers plenty of passing options.

“You can find a way to pass anyone if you have to. There are two main passing opportunities each lap into the slower corners and two or three other chances if drivers make a slight mistake.’’

He promises that Phillip Island also offers plenty of exhilaration for drivers.

“It has the highest speed corners of any in the Championship. There are probably six corners that we will take at more than 200kph. It’s big, fast and flowing. And it rewards drivers who get it exactly right.’’

The circuit was originally designed in 1956 but rebuilt for the 1989 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix and currently also hosts a round of the Superbike World Championship.

Phillip Island last hosted a round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series in 2003 with Craig Lowndes winning the round for Ford.

The circuit is now under new ownership and the Linfox Corporation has invested a significant amount of money to improve the track and facilities.

With AVESCO Events promoting the final round it will come under the catch phrase “Feel the Power, See it Live”, encouraging fans to watch the action and possible Championship Series being decided.

BigPond, also platform sponsor of the V8 Supercar Championship Series, has returned as naming rights sponsor for the final round of 2005 where kids 12 and under  receive free entry. An additional 800 grand stand seats have been released on BigPond Straight to give spectators a perfect view on top of the action.

Tickets are now on sale through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com.au)or by phoning 1300 136 122. One lucky pre-purchase ticket holder will win a Hot Lap with reigning V8 Supercar Champion Marcos Ambrose around the Phillip Island track during the BigPond Grand Finale.