Supercars: Holden hoping for final victory over Ford
With the death of Holden finally confirmed, V8 legend Mark Skaife has predicted a storybook ending for the famous brand, beating Ford in the final fight.
V8
Don't miss out on the headlines from V8. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Mark Skaife has predicted a fairytale finish for Holden with the V8 legend backing the famous brand to beat Ford in the final fight.
Set to go toe-to-toe with Ford for the last time after the Red Bull Holden Racing Team announced they would split from Holden at the end of the year, Skaife tipped the Commodore to leave the sport a champion by mowing down the Mustang.
“It would be nice to see Holden go out in fine style,” Skaife said.
“It would be a fitting finish. They have made an enormous contribution to Australian motorsport. I know everyone that has every been involved with the company wants them to go out as a winner.”
Get your sport fix on Kayo ahead of live games returning soon – classic match replays, documentaries and the latest news & announcements. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
The V8 death of Holden was officially announced on Tuesday when Triple Eight Race Engineering revealed they would be severing ties with the company at the end of the year.
Contracted to race for Holden until the end of 2021, Triple Eight announced they had reached a termination settlement with the brand that will cease operations at the end of the year.
“GM Holden and Triple Eight Race Engineering have reached an amicable agreement in the wake of Holden’s announcement that the manufacturer will be closing later this year,’’ the statement said.
“The settlement, the details of which are commercially confidential, will see the Red Bull Holden Racing Team remain on the grid in its present guise until the end of the current Virgin Australia Supercars Championship season. The existing contract had been due to expire at the end of 2021.”
Skaife backed the famous brand to beat Ford in their final fling with the Holden legend claiming Jamie Whincup could dethrone Scott McLaughlin.
“Triple Eight have had a great record with Holden and they have done an enormous job since taking over the factory mantle,” Skaife said.
“I am sure everyone at Triple Eight are 120 per cent focused on trying to win the 2020 season. I think all those people, whether Holden dealers, employees or just those with a Holden story would like to see the brand go out with success. Holden has been such a big part of our DNA for a long-time so it would be a fantastic way to send the brand off.’’
Holden began the season with a first up win over Ford and will be hoping their speed was not a one-off when the championship resumes in Sydney on June 27.
MORE NEWS
Cronulla’s Wade Graham on ‘the wrong way’ Valentine Holmes ditched Sharks for NFL
Bledisloe Cup 2020 series: Wallabies coach Dave Rennie’s impossible All Blacks task
“The pre-Covid competition that we had was extraordinary,” Skaife said.
“Whatever work went in by Supercars in the off-season to test the two brands ensured we had really good quality racing immediately. It showed that we would have a great and close season and I can’t wait for the racing to resume play. I can’t wait to see the battle start because there is a young man chasing his third straight championship in a Ford and a man with seven championships chasing him in a Holden. It doesn’t get any better.
Triple Eight Race Engineering have not committed to racing another brand beyond this season.
“The future branding of Triple Eight’s Supercars team is yet to be determined, with the current contract between co-title partner Red Bull and Triple Eight in place until at least the end of the 2021 season,’’ the statement said.
“The whole team at Triple Eight extends their heartfelt thanks to Holden, all Holden employees past and present with whom we’ve interacted, and the dealer network for their incredible support and friendship over the past decade. The team is totally committed to delivering the best possible results, both on and off the track, for the remainder of the season.”
Originally published as Supercars: Holden hoping for final victory over Ford
From home inferno to Bathurst: Star’s ‘gut-wrenching’ 24 hours
On Saturday Declan Fraser’s Gold Coast home was destroyed in a house fire, the next day he was racing around Mount Panorama in the Bathurst 1000. He takes REBECCA WILLIAMS inside the ‘gut-wrenching’ 24 hours.
Kostecki shakes off Feeney to claim maiden Bathurst crown
Brodie Kostecki has his first Bathurst 1000 crown after making the most of pole position at Mount Panorama as he defeated Broc Feeney by the slimmest of margins. See how the action unfolded!