SWISS LOOK STRONG BUT AUSTRALIA SHOW PROMISE

An encouraging result for Team Australia on day one of the Taupo New Zealand round of the A1GP series with John Martin setting the third fastest time in Friday afternoon's first practice session. In hot and dry conditions Martin moved into third place behind pace setter Neel Jarni and Lebanon's Daniel Morad. Jarni overcame a health scare to set the fastest time of the day after his teammate Alexandre Imperatori started the day as the quickest rookie. Jarni was rushed to hospital last week with suspected meningitis, which ruined his training regime and left him feeling drained. He arrived in Taupo several days later than normal after getting the all-clear from doctors to race. Jarni said the New Zealand Summer weather had improved his health and he remained confident that he would be fine to race over the weekend., “... it looks as though the warm weather is helping me as we don’t have minus degrees like at home. I am feeling better every day and had no issues with driving today so I am very positive.” he said. The very fact that the race is happening will be a big relief for organisers after rumours spread earlier this month that the series may wind up.

UGLY SPORTSCARS TEST AT DAYTONA

MORE POWER TO PENSKE: All Aussie line up possible ?

It could be an all Australian line up as Australian driver Will Power replaces Helio Castroneves at Team Penske. The Indianapolis Star has reported that Power will replace the Brazilian while the two-time Indianapolis 500 champion fights serious tax evasion charges.  Castroneves, who also won the US version of the popular television programme “Dancing With The Stars“, has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy and tax evasion involving about $US5.5 million ($A8.1 million) in income stashed in offshore accounts. Penske team president Tim Cindric told the “Star” that the team remained behind Castroneves and were hopeful that the situation would soon have a “positive outcome.” Power, who looked set to be without a drive following the withdrawal of Craig Gore's Team Australia sponsorship will take over testing of Penske's No.3 car.

PONTIAC AXES AUSSIE UTE

General Motors US division Pontiac have axed plans to sell the Holden Commodore Ute in the USA. The car was to have been marketed as the Pontiac G8 ST but according to Pontiac spokespersin Jim Hopson the Aussie sourced V8 no longer fits the companies new direction. “With Pontiac being more focused on sporty, fun-to-drive cars, we took a long look at the ST and it didn't fit with what our future vision of Pontiac would be,“ Hopson said. “At that point, we decided to not proceed with this vehicle.“ According to Holden the decision will not have any effect on continued sale of the G8 sedan in the US. However several US based media outlets have claimed that Pontiac will eventually become a one or two model niche marque  and it remains to be seen whether there will be any room for the Aussie built Commodore. The G8 is manufactured at Holden's Elizabeth plant in South Australia  and any cutback in overseas sales won't bode well for its workers. The only good news from the decision is that at least the attractive lines of the original wont have to be further butchered by the General's US design team.

MORE GEORG PLASA ACTION FOR YOUR NEW YEAR

FORD US REVEALS 2010 SHELBY GT500

Ford USA have officially unveiled their  2010 Shelby GT500. Like the original Shelby GT350 the GT500 is based on the Ford Mustang but like the original is more than just a hotted up version of Ford's famous pony car.  “The 2010 Shelby GT500 demonstrates Ford's continuing commitment to high-performance vehicles,“ said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development.  “In addition to the numerous performance and refinement improvements inside and out, the 2010 Shelby GT500 is an estimated 2 miles per gallon more fuel efficient on the highway.“ “We're proud of the many enhancements that were developed jointly by the Ford and Shelby Automobiles team last year that we've now incorporated into the new 2010 Shelby GT500,“ said Carroll Shelby, founder of Shelby Automobiles.  “Building on what we learned to create the Shelby GT500KR, this new car offers a great combination of power, handling and braking.  It is truly a special car that is a great deal of fun to drive.“ Ford's Special Vehicle Team used the gains made on the 40th anniversary edition Shelby GT500KR “King of the Road“ Mustangs as the performance starting point and built from there. The design team, with a nod to the original Shelby Cobras from the 1960s, takes those design cues even further with nuanced improvements in both the coupe and convertible, each of which boasts a more- refined interior. The 2010 Shelby GT500 delivers more horsepower and more torque than the outgoing model, thanks in part to advancements pioneered on the GT500KR.