Motorsport: V8s the best motorsport category on the planet

Fabian Coulthard leads the field at the V8 Supercars Perth SuperSprint. Photo / Getty Images

James Warburton declared V8 Supercars the best motorsport category on the planet following a surge in TV ratings and a multi-million dollar commitment from Virgin Australia.

Figures obtained from broadcaster FoxSports show the first three rounds of the championship were up an incredible 68 per cent on the corresponding period last year in a huge ratings coup.

The initial ratings showed the pay-per-view network had attracted an average of 136,000 from the Clipsal 500 to the Phillip Island Supersprint.

A report released by AUSCAM shows V8 Supercars is FoxSports' third biggest sport behind the NRL and AFL with 118 per cent more viewers than the A-League.

"There has never been a stronger time in the sport," Warburton said.

"I am not only excited about this year but also the years to come as we move to our 10 year plan. The business is doing well and so is the sport. The fans love what we are doing and the numbers are there for all to see. The economics are there and the management initiatives we have put in place have been delivered. We have the respect of the field."

In a state of the nation address on Tuesday's episode of Inside Supercars - an exclusive FoxSports show also attracting record ratings - Warburton said the closeness of racing that has seen just one repeat winner makes Supercars the best motorsport on four wheels.

"We have the closest racing ever," Warburton said.

"And I don't think there is a better racing product on the globe. There is not better racing product on four wheels."

Perth was also up by almost 70percent across the combined FoxSports/Channel 10 broadcast arrangement and was the No.1 sport's telecast on pay TV on Sunday.

Fans are now flocking to FoxSports following an initial reluctance to pay for the rounds not shown on free to air.

V8 Supercars also last month secured a five year naming rights deal with Virgin Australia.