V8 Supercars Australia (VESA) have been unable to attract manufacturer support for their safety car programme due to their insistence on the carrying of alcohol sponsorship.

Nissan Australia withdrew their support for the safety car programme after the company’s Nissan GTR was adorned with logos from Queensland beer brand XXXX Gold.

It was only six months into a two-year contract.

It’s believed that an approach to HSV to use their W427 Supercar was also refused, again due to the beer sponsorship issue.

The new safety car unveiled at Darwin’s Hidden Valley Raceway is a Holden Commodore supplied by suspension and car repair company Pedders.

In what is clearly a public relations move to try and stave off criticism of the Beer sponsorship, the car will carry road safety messages and feature in XXXX Gold’s new ‘Know When to Slow Down’ campaign.

A V8SA statement said Pedders will support the “generic” Safety and Course cars “before a further announcement in the coming weeks regarding a unique concept for the XXXX Gold Pedders Safety Car Program”.

XXXX Gold has taped a 30-second television advertisement with V8 drivers Jamie Whincup, Garth Tander, Mark Winterbottom and Greg Murphy.

According to XXXX GOLD Category Director, Andrew Coates, said that “Know When To Slow Down not only works from a V8 Supercar and Safety Car perspective, but it’s a great fit for a mid-strength product.”

He said that the campaign echoes the brand’s mateship values and is consistent with the company’s V8 Mates promotional theme.

Mr Coates said the Safety Car and TV commercial will allow XXXX Gold to spread the really important message about slowing down, taking responsibility and making sensible decisions.

Meanwhile after two weeks of internal turmoil, VESA have finally had some good news to report with the announcement the the taxpayers of the Northern Territory will continue to support VESA’s mid Winter flight from the cold for another nine years.

V8 Supercar supremo and colourful Broadway impresario Tony Cochrane told a delighted media that their annual Baramundi fishing expedition will continue.

“It’s no secret that Darwin… is a favourite amongst our drivers, teams and our staff,” he said.

“Year after year we can’t wait to get back to the special feeling of the Top End and this particular weekend.

Territory Chief Minister Paul Henderson said that the event was loved by Territorians and visitors alike.

“The V8 Supercars weekend has become a great celebration of our Territory lifestyle – starting with the truck convoy through the city on Thursday and ending with great music on Sunday night – this year with the Presets,” he said.

Mr Henderson claimed that the race injects more than $8 million into the local economy.