Applications to buy V8 Supercars’ 32nd licence have now closed and a new owner is set to take residence on the last spot on the 2008 starting grid.

Fujitsu outfit Ford Rising Stars Racing is one of the V8 Supercar teams that has to put its hat in the ring for the remaining Level Two licence.

The ex-Romano Level Two licence, which was most recently leased to Larry Perkins for the 2005-2006 seasons, is expected to be sold and new owner announced at a TEGA Board meeting on Monday, July 23.

Although TEGA general manager Kelvin O’Reilly could not confirm the number of team owners that submitted "expressions of interest", V8X understands that a number of notable teams are exploring the option of either expanding or moving up to the main game.

In late 2006, both Howard Racing and Ford Rising Stars Racing confirmed to V8X they were eager to upgrade their racing operations from the Fujitsu V8 Development Series and both are understood to still be keen on the option.

Another to emerge from the hushed list of interested parties was Tony D’Alberto Racing, although the leading Fujitsu series outfit’s namesake revealed that a substantially healthier racing budget would be required before doing so.

Despite one-car V8 Supercar team boss Paul Cruickshank confirmed to be only sussing out the option, the Glenfords Racing chief said he would only expand in future to two cars if it would not jeopardise the gains already made by his newly-established outfit.