Following their mid-season break the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship gets underway again this weekend with the running of the Sydney Supersprint at Sydney Motorsport Park.
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This will be the first race meeting since the news last week that Holden confirmed a single car factory-team motorsport strategy from 2017, dropping the Walkinshaw Racing owned Holden Racing Team completely in favour of Triple Eight, who will run their team as Red Bull Holden Racing Team.
While rumours would suggest otherwise, the Walkinshaw Racing team are believed to be continuing in the championship next year, despite missing out on two million dollars in cash from Holden.
According to James Phelps in the Sunday Telegraph, Ryan Walkinshaw has said the team may run as the HSV Dealer Team, as the Holden performance arm the Holdern Special Vehicles is still owned by the Walkinshaw group.
He also said he will be speaking with his two current drivers Garth Tander and James Courtney in an attempt to resign them, as they are both off contract at season's end.
It's ironic that Garth won his one and only championship in 2007 driving for the HSV Dealer Team.
The inaugural Challenge Bathurst event to be held in November, it should attract many a fine motor car. One that looks like participating should put the shiver up the spine of any true motor sport enthusiast, a limited edition Ferrari 599XX Evoluzione.
The 599XX is a real weapon, and it is believed it will be run by Melbourne based Maranello Motorsport.
There have only been 30 of these V12 rocket ships produced, and this is the only one in the Southern Hemisphere. It's power is something to behold; 544kW (730bhp).
Interesting news that the Australian Racing Drivers Club is to host a 10-hour endurance race for Production Touring and Production Sports Cars on January 13-15 at SMSP.
It's an interesting concept, as it will be contested across two, five hour segments, the 10 Hours of Sydney will be held for the first time between 13-15 January.
The event will take advantage of summer conditions. The race commence on Saturday afternoon, running into the early twilight. Saturday night ‘pit party’ BBQ will be held for competitors, officials and fans alike.
The race continues on Sunday for a further five hours until the 10 hours are complete.
While it is an exciting format, there may be just one problem and that is the timing, for while the Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 12 Hour is not on until April, the production touring car competitors may not have the budget for both.