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[V8SC] UPDATE: Triple 8 to Holden Confirmed..
by Sean Henshelwood
graphic by Scott Yorston SS Media
UPDATE: The rumor of Triple Eights defection to Holden has gained greater strength this morning (July 29th) with news that a promotional vehicle is being revealed to Holden staff at Fisherman's Bend today. We expect it to hit the airwaves in a couple of hours..
Triple the intrigue..
The cat's out of the bag, or in this case, the lion.. At some stage within the next 24 hours, stories will abound about the proposed defection of V8 Supercar powerhouse Triple 8 from team blue to team red, or in this case, from hog to Holden as arguably Australia's most successful modern-day outfit will allegedly reveal plans of a move to Holden in 2010..
Hot on the tail of contract extensions for their dynamic duo Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup, comes news that Triple 8 will return Lowndes and Whincup to the manufacturer with which both
drivers started their illustrious careers.
Typically of the once Ford-backed outfit, the cards are being played close, so at this stage it is just rumour, but it would come as no surprise to many after Ford elected not to support the triple Bathurst champions beyond the 2008 season, instead putting their weight behind
Ford Performance Racing and Stone Brothers Racing..
To date both those teams have failed to match the pace of the Roland Dane run outfit,
Dane adding weight to speculation of 'ill feeling' for Broadmeadows after replacing the iconic Ford logos on his Falcons with the face of new sponsors, Hog's Breath at the start of this season.. Many saw that as a chance for Dane to make a clear and concise point about his view
on the decision.
Initially it looked as if Triple 8 would be the first team to introduce a third manufacturer to the popular touring car category, but with the onset of the GFC, the entrance of another manufacturer looks unlikely in the short term, leaving Triple 8 little option but to move to Holden. Realistically it's not a big stretch to see the English based team make a move to the GM product, it did after all
start it's life in the British Touring Car Championship with Holden's English cousin, Vauxhall..
From Holden's perspective it really has to be a no-brainer; adopting the very team that led Ford to it's most recent successes, and pairing it with the most successful team in Supercar history would place Holden well and truly back on the front foot.. How this move would be perceived at Clayton becomes the big question, however should the deal eventuate, you can guarantee Holden would be quick to protect it's HRT/HSV investment.
Whilst Holden fans will rejoice at the return of messrs Lowndes and Whincup to the 'family' fold, the biggest impact will likely be felt from those Ford 'satellite' teams that rely so heavily on Triple 8's support; notably Jim Beam Racing (who funnily enough were rumoured to be making a switch to Holden at the end of 2008) and Wilson Security Racing..
A popular move for many, the switch will have more than a handful of ramifications, and will put the rumour-mill well and truly into overdrive..
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