(Daniel Baricevic is freelance writer, motorsport lover and BPL Citizen Journalist)

V8 Supercars officially unveiled its two ‘Car of the Future' prototypes during its season finale this weekend at the Sydney Telstra 500.

The launch of the 2013-spec Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon followed a three-year project spearheaded by six-time Bathurst winner and current Chairman of the V8 Supercar Commission, Mark Skaife.

The prototypes - which were developed in conjunction with manufacturers, designers, teams and drivers - are aimed at reducing the massive costs associated with running teams and also at enticing new manufacturers into the sport.

At the unveiling, Skaife said that the "major changes are under the skin or in the design architecture primarily to make the cars cheaper to build and repair. We also want to ensure market relevance by keeping the car as close as it possibly can be to he car on the showroom floor."

"We want for the whole of the (V8 Supercar) industry to be able to run the cars more cost-effectively...it will keep our teams more viable and produce better racing."

Yet, with Toyota representatives supposedly present at the unveiling, the 19-year Ford and Holden stronghold on the two-make category looks like it will be over possibly as early as 2013.

The introduction of a control chassis will certainly make it easier for a new manufacturer to join the sport, and they would be able to build their own V8-engine, providing it meets the current units, or use a ‘category' engine that is already established within the industry.

Skaife says that the changing face of the Australian automotive industry left the sport with no choice but to open its doors to a new manufacturer.

"Australia is a very different place in 2011 than in 1993," he said.

"Today Ford and Holden combined have roughly 20 per cent of the market. The other 80 per cent needs to be embraced by V8 Supercars."

Apart from the emphasis of cost-effectiveness and the addition of new manufacturers, changes have been made in relation to driver safety, with components of the car being altered to improve drive quality and protect the driver in the instance of a major incident.

These include the introduction of an independent rear suspension, a new transaxle gearbox, a collapsible steering column, revised fire extinguisher system, a new and safer roll cage-system which includes added side protection, polycarbonate windscreens and a new Dunlop 18-inch wheel and tyres, up from the 17 inches used currently.

One of the biggest safety changes however is the fuel tank of the cars being moved forward from inside the boot into the chassis, which could prevent explosions in the case of rear-end collisions, similar to the incident in which Karl Reindler's Commodore burst into flames after being hit in the rear by Steve Owen at the beginning of the race at Barbagello Raceway earlier in May this year.

The major changes will undeniably shape the future of one of Australia's fastest growing sports, and although the planned future variety of manufacturers lining up on the grid will draw the ire of touring car traditionalists, officials will be hoping it will help the evolution of the category into a more sustainable and successful series.