VALE TOM WALKINSHAW

Holden Racing Team owner Tom Walkinshaw has died of cancer at the age of 64. The former Arrows team owner and a top driver in his own right. Walkinshaw was a controversial figure in the sport but widely regarded for his determination and success. His purchase of the Arrows team led to his TWR outfit being declared [...]

WHINCUP ON ISLAND POLE, THANKS TO OWEN

After a qualifying process that was more complicated and even more boring than the recent Federal Election, the Team Vodafone, Triple Eight Commodore of Jamie Whincup and Steve Owen will start from pole for tomorrow's Phillip Island 500. Whincup, the defending V8 Supercar Champion, can thank his co-driver Owen for his pole position. Owen confirmed yet again that he should be in the main game with an all the way win in the first grid qualifying race. Jason Bargwanna in his Rock Racing Commodore was second after a great late race move on Holden Racing Team driver Garth Tander. Rick Kelly dominated the second race after making a great start to overhaul Jamie Whincup who blew the start and was swamped by Dick Johnson Racing's James Courtney. Whincup had to pit leaving Kelly to take the win from Craig Lowndes with Courtney third.

HOLDEN: V8 SUPERCAR PROTEST WILL BE HEARD

The protest by Holden teams against the controversial front splitter mountings on the all conquering Team Vodafone Falcons will now be heard.   The Confederation of Australian Motorsport's V8 Supercar National Court of Appeal, has upheld an appeal lodged by Walkinshaw Performance and will now allow an official protest.   The appeal was lodged against the decision by Stewards at the Symmons Plains round on 29 May, not hear the protest regarding the legality of the Team Vodafone splitter mount and the decisions and conduct of the V8 Supercar Category Technical Director, Campbell Little.   In a statement released yesterday (June 9 2009) the Court of Appeal ruled that:   1. That the Appeal be allowed; 2. The time limit for lodging of the Protest by Walkinshaw Performance, dated 22 May 2009, be extended to 22 May 2009; 3. Direct that CAMS reconvene, for the purpose of Hearing the Protest by Walkinshaw Performance alone, the Stewards of the Meeting held on the 1-3 May 2009 at Winton Motor Raceway, or appoint other Stewards as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Rule A10.1.3.14; 4. That the Appeal Fee be refunded to the Appellant; 5. Direct that the Protest Fee be reinstated; 6. Direct that CAMS give notice of this decision to Triple Eight Race Engineering Pty Ltd and inform that person that they have a right to be heard at the Hearing; 7. Direct that the Stewards conduct the Hearing promptly; 8. Liberty to the parties and Triple Eight Race Engineering Pty Ltd to apply for further orders if necessary. The V8 Supercar National Court of Appeal said that it will give its full decision regarding this matter in writing within 14 days.   The controversy over the splitter mounting has led to the resignation of V8 Supercars Technical Director Campbell Little. In a statement issued last Monday Little said that  he had arrived at the decision in recent weeks.

REYNOLDS RACES WITH BUNDY RED: TEAM LAUNCH

WANT HIGH PERFORMANCE ? DON’T ASK GM

General Motors USA have disbanded their high performance arm as the company fights for survival. GM's High Performance Vehicle Operations, based in Detroit has been wound up effective immediately with staff redeployed to other areas of the company. Spokesman Vince Muniga told reporters that "All high-performance projects are on indefinite hold," The unit, similar to Australia' HSV created low-volume vehicles for GM's divisions designed to appeal to enthusiasts and bolster the company's image. Products effected included V-series Cadillacs and the Chevrolet Cobalt SS, HHR SS and a V-8 version of the Colorado. Muniga said that there are no plans for high-performance versions of upcoming cars. The move is a part of GM's viability plan which was presented to the U.S. Treasury Department on Tuesday. In the plan, GM said its future-product focus would be on fuel-efficient cars and crossovers. What this might mean for cars like the Corvette, and the new Camaro is anybody's guess. Whether there are any local implications for brands like HSV or the companies racing plans is not known at this stage. A spokesperson from GMH said that the operation of the successful HSV operation in Australia was not affected and it was business as usual.. If you want to read the updated viability plan in full click (and it's depressing reading) click here.

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.

HOLDEN SHOCK AT SYDNEY SHOW

Holden once again stole the show at the Australian International Motorshow at Sydney's Darling Harbour, but this time it was not a stunning locally built concept car but the Down Under debut of the Chevy Volt. The Volt has been seen plenty of times before, most recently from Paris, but the big news was that the car will be sold here in Australia as soon as 2012.

WINTERBOTTOM ON TOP BUT EARLY DAYS YET

Ford Performance Racing's Mark Winterbottom has finished day one of the L&H 500 at Phillip Island on top of the time sheets. The Falcon driver was only .165 seconds ahead of championship leader Garth Tander setting up a fascinating battle between two of the main contenders for this years Australian V8 Supercar championship.