How Much Do V8 Supercar Drivers Get Paid? Who are Highest earning Drivers

V8 Supercars is one of the most popular and competitive motorsport categories in Australia and New Zealand. The drivers who race in these high-performance vehicles are among the best in the world, but how much do they earn for their skills and talents? Who is the highest-paid V8 Supercar driver in 2024? How much does a V8 Supercar cost to build and maintain? In this article, we will answer these questions and more, based on the latest information available.

V8 Supercar Driver Salary

The salary of a V8 Supercar driver depends on several factors, such as their experience, performance, team, sponsorships, and bonuses. There is no official data on how much each driver earns, but some estimates can be made based on public sources and industry insiders.

Once platform that connects athletes with brands and fans, the average annual cost per car for a V8 Supercar team is somewhere between $3 million and $5 million. This includes the driver’s salary, which is usually the largest expense for a team. A top-tier driver can earn up to $1 million per year, while a mid-level driver can earn around $500,000 per year. A rookie or a part-time driver can earn around $100,000 per year or less.

However, these figures do not include the bonuses that drivers can receive for winning races, championships, or other awards. For example, the winner of the Bathurst 1000, the most prestigious race in the V8 Supercars calendar, can receive up to $250,000 in prize money. The winner of the Drivers’ Championship can also receive a significant bonus from their team and sponsors.

Another source of income for V8 Supercar drivers is endorsements and personal sponsorships. Some drivers have deals with various brands and products that pay them to promote their services or use their logos on their cars or suits. For example, Shane van Gisbergen, the 2022 Drivers’ Champion, has deals with Red Bull, Ampol, Holden, Oakley, Sparco, and others.

Highest-Paid V8 Supercar Driver in 2024

Based on the estimated salary ranges and the performance of the drivers in 2023 and early 2024, we can make an educated guess on who is the highest-paid V8 Supercar driver in 2024. The most likely candidates are:

• Brodie Kostecki: The young star of Coca-Cola Racing by Erebus has been dominating the 2024 season so far, leading the championship standings by a comfortable margin. He has won four races out of eight, including the Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 and the VAILO Adelaide 500. He is also one of the favourites to win the Repco Bathurst 1000 in October. Kostecki signed a multi-year deal with Erebus in 2021, which reportedly pays him around $800,000 per year. With his impressive results and popularity among fans and sponsors, he could be earning more than $1 million per year.
• Shane van Gisbergen: The veteran driver of Red Bull Ampol Racing is one of the most successful and consistent drivers in V8 Supercars history. He won his second Drivers’ Championship in 2022, beating his teammate Broc Feeney by a narrow margin. He also won three races, including the season opener at Newcastle. Van Gisbergen has been with Triple Eight Race Engineering since 2016, and has a long-term contract with Red Bull as his main sponsor. He is estimated to earn around $1 million per year from his team and sponsorships.
• Broc Feeney: The rising star of Red Bull Ampol Racing is one of the most exciting talents in V8 Supercars. He made his debut in 2022 as a replacement for Jamie Whincup, who retired at the end of 2021. He impressed everyone with his speed and maturity, finishing second in the championship behind his teammate van Gisbergen. He also won his first race at Darwin in June 2022. Feeney signed a three-year deal with Triple Eight in 2021, which pays him around $600,000 per year. However, with his potential and marketability, he could be earning more than that in 2024.

V8 Supercar Cost

The cost of a V8 Supercar depends on several factors, such as the manufacturer, model, engine, components, development, testing, maintenance, and repairs. There is no official data on how much each car costs, but some estimates can be made based on public sources and industry insiders.

According to Speedcafe, a leading motorsport news website, the introduction of the Gen3 regulations in 2022 was designed to reduce the acquisition and ongoing costs of V8 Supercars. The new regulations introduced new models (Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang), new engines (5.0-litre V8), and new components (transaxle, brakes, wheels, etc.) that are more affordable and standardized.

The estimated cost of a Gen3 V8 Supercar is less than $350,000, compared to around $600,000 for a Gen2 V8 Supercar. The engine alone costs around $130,000, which is about half of what a Gen2 engine costs. The transaxle costs around $50,000, which is also significantly cheaper than the previous gearbox and differential. The brakes cost around $15,000, which is about a third of what the Gen2 brakes cost. The wheels cost around $1,000 each, which is about the same as the Gen2 wheels.

However, these figures do not include the ongoing costs of running and maintaining a V8 Supercar throughout a season. These costs include fuel, tyres, spare parts, labour, transport, logistics, and other expenses. These costs can vary depending on the team, the number of cars, the number of races, the distance travelled, and the damage sustained. A rough estimate of these costs is around $1 million per car per season.

Conclusion

V8 Supercars is one of the most thrilling and competitive motorsport categories in the world. The drivers who race in these powerful machines are among the best and most skilled in the world. They also earn a decent amount of money for their efforts and talents, but not as much as some other motorsport drivers. The highest-paid V8 Supercar driver in 2024 could be earning more than $1 million per year, while the average driver could be earning around $500,000 per year. The cost of a V8 Supercar has been reduced with the introduction of the Gen3 regulations in 2022, but it still remains a significant investment for teams and sponsors.

Most Asked Questions and Answers

Here are some of the most asked questions and answers about V8 Supercars and their drivers:

Q: How fast can a V8 Supercar go?

A: A Gen3 V8 Supercar can reach a top speed of around 300 km/h (186 mph), depending on the track and the aerodynamics.

Q: How much horsepower does a V8 Supercar have?

A: A Gen3 V8 Supercar has around 650 horsepower (485 kW), which is slightly less than a Gen2 V8 Supercar.

Q: How much does a V8 Supercar weigh?

A: A Gen3 V8 Supercar weighs around 1,350 kg (2,976 lbs), which is about 100 kg (220 lbs) lighter than a Gen2 V8 Supercar.

Q: How many races are there in a V8 Supercars season?

A: The 2023 Repco Supercars Championship consists of 12 events and 24 races, plus one non-championship event at Albert Park.

Q: How long is a V8 Supercars race?

A: The length of a V8 Supercars race varies depending on the event and the format. Most races are between 100 km (62 miles) and 250 km (155 miles), except for the Bathurst 1000, which is 1,000 km (621 miles).

Q: How many tyres does a V8 Supercar use in a race?

A: A V8 Supercar uses four tyres per race, plus one spare tyre in case of puncture or damage. The tyres are supplied by Dunlop and have two compounds: soft and hard.

Q: How many pit stops does a V8 Supercar make in a race?

A: The number of pit stops that a V8 Supercar makes in a race depends on the length of the race, the fuel capacity, the tyre wear, and the strategy. Most races require at least one pit stop for fuel and tyres, except for some sprint races that do not require refuelling.

Q: How many drivers are there in a V8 Supercars team?

A: There are usually two drivers per car in a V8 Supercars team, except for some endurance races that require three drivers per car. Each driver has their own car number and points.

Q: Who is the most successful V8 Supercar driver of all time?

A: The most successful V8 Supercar driver of all time is Jamie Whincup, who won seven Drivers’ Championships and