V8 Supercars going international

Following a successful venture to China in 2005, the V8 Supercar Championship Series has added the Bahrain International Circuit to its list of overseas venues in 2006.

The five year deal adds the Australian V8s to the new circuit's impressive schedule that includes events for Formula 1, GP2, FIA European drag racing, FIA GT, and the Formula BMW World Final.

The thundering V8 touring cars are the third most popular sport in Australia, ranking behind only football and cricket. Remind you of NASCAR? Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your point of view), NASCAR's focus on big ovals limits its ability to expand internationally.

The Australian series joins another Asia/Pacific series, the Japan GT Championship, in expanding overseas. The JGTC held a popular exhibition race in California last year, and word is that the series hopes to return to the U.S. in 2006.