V8 Supercars is in the middle of finalising its 2015 calendar and has identified February 7-8 as the preferred weekend for its pre-season test day, even though the dates have been locked in for the Bathurst 12 Hour. 

If the test day at Sydney Motorsport Park – which often takes place on the middle weekend of February – is moved forward, V8 drivers including this year’s 12 Hour winner Craig Lowndes will be unable to race at the Mount. 

V8 Supercars general manager of communications Cole Hitchcock yesterday said the calendar would not be finalised until September, but a major consideration in planning the test day would be avoiding any clashes with the opening day of the cricket World Cup, which kicks off at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on February 14.

“We would like fans and media to come to our major first outing of the year and obviously it won’t help the broadcaster if it is at the same time as the cricket,” Mr Hitchcock said.

The six-week World Cup is a key asset for Fox Sports, which will also televise the V8 Supercars test day as part of its deal to broadcast the championship from next year.

Mr Hitchcock said it would be difficult to hold the test day on a later weekend in February as that would be getting too close to the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide. 

If the test day was held on the weekend of January 31 and February 1, it would clash with the finals of the Australian Open. 

“When we put our calendar together we have to factor in what else is on ... sometimes there are inevitable clashes,” Mr Hitchcock said.

He confirmed V8 Supercars was considering expanding the one-day test day to a two-day event which would potentially include a fan day and partnership launch with Fox and Ten. 

But he said it was too early to make assumptions that V8 drivers would not be able to attend the 12 Hour. 

“We need to put our calendar together first. It is very complex and a lot of consideration needs to be done.”

Councillor Warren Aubin yesterday said it would be a shame for V8 drivers if they could not race in the 12 Hour, but the event would go on.

“It is not the best situation, but if it is on the same day, the 12 Hour will go ahead,” he said.

“Our race is gaining a lot of momentum. If six or eight V8 race drivers can’t make it, I’m sure their position will be taken by other highly credited drivers. If they put it to the drivers to choose, I think the drivers would rather do the 12 Hour than a test drive.”

Cr Aubin said that as partner of the Bathurst 12 Hour, council would be contacting V8 Supercars to see if an alternative test date could be found. 

Meanwhile, 2014 12 Hour winner Craig Lowndes has told Speedcafe.com that a clash between the two events would be “hugely disappointing”.

“We had a great race this year and have a great relationship with Maranello, so for all intents and purposes we were heading back there next year with them and trying to defend our win,” Lowndes said.

“It’d be hugely disappointing, because there’s not only myself that drives at the 12 Hour but there’s other V8 drivers that love doing it.

“I think it’d almost be interesting to see who decides to turn up to what.”