BMW-Penske V8 Supercars link

A high-ranking BMW executive has confirmed preliminary discussions with motor racing icon Roger Penske about teaming up for an assault on the Australian V8 Supercars championship.

The brief conversation about the local tin-top series came off the back of BMW's interest in Penske becoming a dealer in Australia.

Penske already has significant transport and heavy engine industry investments in Australia, owning Penske Commercial Vehicles – the local importer and distributor for Western Star, MAN Truck & Bus and Dennis Eagle – and Penske Power Systems Inc, formerly MTU Detroit Diesel Australia.

The link was confirmed yesterday in Melbourne during a meeting with motoring media by Hendrik von Kuenheim, BMW Group senior vice president Asia, Pacific and South Africa.

"We had very, very, very brief initial discussions about whether we could do something," von Kuenheim said.

"I particularly understand V8 motorsport is still a big thing here and we have at this time no decision to proceed.

"But Roger is a key person in this, yes."

There is no suggestion that any agreement has been reached nor that there is any interest from BMW in going racing here.

It is understood Penske has other more likely options ahead of BMW to back his V8 Supercars activities.

But von Kuenheim's admission does confirm rumours that have been circulating in the V8 Supercars championship for some time about Penske pitching an Australian racing program to BMW.

The billionaire businessman runs an international transport-based empire that includes a slew of luxury and prestige car brand dealerships in the USA and Europe. Up to 25 per cent of them are said to be BMW.

Von Kuenheim made it clear he would encourage Penske – whom he got to know when he worked for BMW in North America – to become a dealership owner for the brand in Australia.

But he said any decision on a V8 Supercars program would not be made by him.

"It is not really up to me because motorsport is driven by Mr Jens Marquardt and he has two bosses – one is the head of engineering and the other is the worldwide head of sales and marketing, Ian Robertson.

"Obviously you do motorsport to substantiate your technology know-how and to build on your brand."

BMW currently campaigns against Mercedes-Benz and Audi in the German DTM with a 3 Series-bodied racer.

Penske has already revealed a desire to invest in car dealerships in Australia and is known to have shopped around for Mercedes-Benz franchises as far back as 2013.

Penske traditionally promotes his business investments via motor racing and he has already purchased Dick Johnson Racing and refashioned it into DJR Team Penske for the 2015 V8 Supercars championship.

The team has attracted plenty of unwanted attention so far because star recruit Marcos Ambrose chose to step out of the team's Ford Falcon FG X after two events. His replacement, Scott Pye (pictured), has been no more competitive as the team struggles to sort the car out.

Penske is running a single Ford in 2015 on a privateer basis, but has made it clear he believes factory backing is the only way to be truly competitive in the V8 Supercars championship.

Apart from BMW, Penske has also been linked speculatively with Mercedes-Benz and Lexus. It is understood he is also using his considerable influence to try and persuade Ford HQ in North America to retain an interest in the Australian championship, despite Ford Australia's announcement of its intention to withdraw at the end of 2015.

An Australian-based Penske Group executive approached for comment declined the offer. trucksales.com.au sister site, carsales.com.au, is also seeking a response from Penske Racing president Tim Cindric.