There are persistent rumours the V8 Supercar teams are interested in buying back the shareholding that was sold to Archer Capital and assume greater control of the category.

When the buyout occurred, each team received a substantial payout, but it was a one-off payment and since then the annual financial return to the teams has reduced by a significant amount.

On top of that, the financial return from the television deal with the Seven Network has been reduced substantially and, together with reduced sponsorship opportunities due to the current economic climate, it is understood a number of teams are struggling to survive.

The introduction of the Car of the Future was expected to reduce the cost of construction by about half, but the new car is more expensive than the car it replaced.

There are also strong rumours former V8 Supercars chairman Tony Cochrane will return to the scene as the organiser of a consortium to affect the buyout. Cochrane still has a minor shareholding in V8 Supercars and it will be interesting to see if the rumours are true, and what role he will take.

Motorcyclist reunion

THE Launceston Motorcycle Club is having a reunion next Saturday at Archers Manor at 7pm.

The cost will be $30 a head, and acceptances should be made to former secretary Fran Hayes by Tuesday on 63912599 or 0419034570.

Rally series

THE Mitsubishi Evo 9 team of Marcus Walkem and Damien Grimwood dominated last weekend's opening round of the Tasmanian Rally Series.

They won by more than four minutes across the two heats, and recorded the fastest time on all of the 13 stages.

Andrew Wylie and Daniel Willson had a solid run in the Subaru STi Spec C to finish second in both heats and second overall.

One of the standout performances came from relative newcomer Keith Abblit and the experienced Adrian Hodgetts in the Subaru WRX RA, who finished third in both heats and third overall.

Four place overall went to the Mazda RX7 of Darren Clark and Nathan Walker, who also took out the two-wheel-drive honours.

Kade Barrett and David Weldon were expected to be the front-runners in the two-wheel-drive class in the Plymouth Arrow, but the car suffered a broken tie rod and then steering box problems.The battle for fifth place went right down to the wire with Stuart Rattray and Jamie Young holding on by just one second in their six-cylinder VL Commodore.