Superloop Adelaide 500 likely to be last time Holden Supercars will race in South Australia’s capital
The announcement that Holden will cease to exist in Australia by the end of 2020 means this weekend’s Superloop Adelaide 500 is likely to be the last time SA-based Supercars fans will see the brand race in the city.
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This week is highly likely to be the last time Supercars fans get to see the Holden brand racing in Adelaide following General Motor’s decision to kill off the brand.
The shock announcement by General Motors that the Holden brand would cease to exist in Australia by the end of the year has caught both organisers of the Superloop 500 in Adelaide and the Supercars competition completely off-guard.
Holden will begin discussions with Supercars and the factory-backed Red Bull Holden Racing Team about its future in the series after the shock announcement by its global parent company.
The news follows the axing of the Australian brand’s most famous car, the legendary Commodore, last December due to declining sales.
Holden provides factory backing for one of the most powerful teams on the Supercars’ grid, Triple Eight Race Engineering (the Red Bull Holden Racing Team).
Triple Eight extended its deal with Holden midway through last year for another two years until the end of 2021.
Holden makes up more than half the Supercars grid, with 16 Commodores racing in this year’s series.
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In a statement addressing the future of the brand in Supercars racing, Holden said: “We will begin discussions with the organisers of Supercars and Red Bull Holden Racing Team”.
“We will update you on these discussions at the appropriate time.”
In regards to its support of the Red Bull Holden Racing Team, Holden said it would work through the ramifications of the company’s decision with the team.
“We are aware of our commitment and we will work through with Red Bull Holden Racing Team the implications of this decision.”
Responding to the news, Supercars said: “The news is understandably disappointing for fans who have followed Holden’s success in Australian Touring Cars and Supercars since its debut in the 1960s”.
“Holden has been firmly part of the heritage of our sport and has helped shape Supercars to become the sport it is today,” it continued.
“The Commodore will remain on track for the 2020 championship season and we’re looking forward to seeing it alongside the Ford Mustang once again this weekend when the 2020 Virgin Australia Supercars championship begins in Adelaide.”
Holden has been linked with the biggest names in Supercars and Australian Touring Car racing – the late King of the Mountain Peter Brock, Mark Skaife, Craig Lowndes and seven-time champion Jamie Whincup.
Another Holden Supercars squad, Walkinshaw Andretti United, formerly the Holden Racing Team before losing its factory-backing to Triple Eight, said the brand was forever linked with its history.
“Our team has shared a long and successful relationship with Holden in Australia for three decades,” the WAU statement read.
“It’s very sad to see them leave.
“We are thankful for their support, and proud of what we have achieved together, including seven Bathurst 1000 victories, and six driver championships.
“Our team and supporters have bled red for a long time, the lion and helmet will live on in our team’s history forever.”
Triple Eight have been sought for comment.