The  Australian  V8 Supercars  Desert 400  race  which started today (Nov 1) brings  to  Bahrain  another  unique achievement.

Firmly integrated into  the race  series for 2007,  the V8 Racing Green Project is in full swing. V8 Racing Green is a world first.

For the first time in motor racing history two entire Race Series (2007 V8 Supercars Championship Series and the 2007 Fujitsu V8 Supercars Series) will be carbon offset with a planting programme for native trees in every   country   in   which   they   race   -   Bahrain,   Australia   and   New   Zealand.

Across all three countries, V8 Racing Green will plant more than 15,000  native trees to  offset the  carbon emissions produced.  And it's not just the  races themselves that are neutralised, but transport to racing events, air travel and other activity.

In  conjunction  with  this  weekend's  race  (Nov 1-3),  the  Bahrain  International Circuit  is  busily  working  towards  an  environmental  project  to  regenerate  areas affected  by  the  large  amount  of  infrastructural  development  that  the  country  has undergone.

Through V8 Racing Green, V8 Supercars Australia will work with the BIC to  help  plant  native  plants  in  these  areas.  The  aim  of  the  BIC  is  to  involve  many organisations  in  order  to  create  a  strong  community  aspect  to  this  project. 

A host of local school children will start  the  process today along  with  the  superstars  of  the  V8's in activating this  project.

Martin Whitaker, CEO of the BIC explained: 'This is a very significant move in motor racing and one that the BIC is proud to be  involved with. As a circuit we are looking to  use  this  opportunity  as  the  catalyst  to a  long  term environmental  initiative  that will include the planting of indigenous trees, plants and shrubs and the development
of horticultural opportunities for the sustainability of these species for the long term.

'We are confident that we will be able to include many other initiatives, organisations and  members  of  the  community  throughout  Bahrain  in  this  programme.  As  a  race series  I  believe  the  V8  Supercar  Series  sets  a  strong  example  for  the  motorsport industry as a whole and they are clearly demonstrating leadership in what is an issue
that affects all of us.'

V8  Supercars,  in  partnership  with  BigPond  Australia  is  committed  to  making  their motor sport activities carbon neutral. Wayne Cattach, CEO of V8 Supercars Australia, said: 'This has been a very rewarding  project. Everyone that has been involved from the  teams,  drivers,  circuits  and  communities  have  really  made it  work.  One  of  the
great  aspects  of  this initiative  is  that  it has  provided  a  springboard  for many  other environmental  projects.  In  addition  our  Schools  programme  has  been  incredibly effective  in  educating  the  children  and  their  families  about  the&n