Stoner may move to V8 Supercars

Going by ability, Stoner is the most likely motorcycle racer to eventually move to V8 Supercars.

Roland Dane, boss of the V8 Supercars championship-winning TeamVodafone, rates Stoner the "standout" of test drivers who have had a drive in one of the team's race cars over the past couple of years.

The others are three-time World Superbike champion Troy Bayliss and multiple world and American supercross and motocross champ Chad Reed.

"I think the standout because of age and what he's done is Casey Stoner," he says. "We had a very good test with Troy and he's had an opportunity to do something (races in the 2010 endurance rounds) but he's the wrong side of 40, although he's probably fitter than most V8 drivers.

"It's difficult for him to start a new career now and he's still earning more money testing for Ducati than driving a V8, anyway. Chad we will still keep a eye on, but the standout is Casey.

"You can see when he drives the car that he's definitely got real talent. He also has a real passion for V8s."

Stoner attended several V8 Supercar events last year and stays in touch with the series via computer while travelling around the world on the MotoGP circuit.

He has also developed close relationships with several TeamVodafone members, including Craig Lowndes's race engineer, Jeromy Moore. However, Dane does not see a move to V8s soon.

"The MotoGP has to be his focus until he no longer wants to do it," Dane says. "He's publicly said he's not sure how long he will carry on with GP, but I suspect he has a few more championships to get under his belt."