Holden exit sees Supercars accelerates plans for new generation of motorsport
The death of Holden in Australia may have come as a shock for many motorsport fans, but rather than mourn the iconic brand’s exit from the field, the series is embracing the opportunity the change provides.
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Supercars is accelerating plans for its next generation of cars in the wake of Holden’s shock exit from Australia with chief executive Sean Seamer leaving the door ajar for a new make on the grid next year.
Disputing claims Supercars would suffer with the loss of its traditional Holden versus Ford rivalry, Seamer declared the sport was “not going anywhere”.
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The news of Holden’s demise sent shockwaves through the category on the eve of the season-opening Adelaide 500 this week, but Seamer said the series had been planning for a future without the iconic Commodore for some time.
Already well-advanced in its blueprint for its Gen3 regulations set for 2022 that will move the series away from sedans towards two-door sports cars, Seamer said the death of Holden in Australia by the end of the year would fast-track those plans.
“We’ve been planning for a future without the Commodore for a while now,” Seamer said.
“What it means for us is we’re absolutely not going anywhere, however we need to accelerate some of the plans that we had for 2022.
“We’re just going through a process at the moment of establishing which of those plans can and should be deployed for next year … and what it means for the on track product.
“What we are trying to do is provide a package that means we can attract and work with as many different body shapes and as many different (car) types as possible.”
Seamer said Supercars was talking to “all manufacturers”, but said it would be premature to single any out as potential inclusions to the category alongside the Ford Mustang.
While Seamer acknowledged it would be difficult for a new make to be ready in time for 2021, he did not rule out the possibility.
“The challenges around building and developing a car in addition to the engine and all of the work that goes in for that, it’s possible, but difficult,” Seamer said.
The factory-backed Red Bull Holden Racing Team had a deal in place with Holden until the end of 2021 and there are 16 Commodores in total on the grid this year.
Triple Eight team boss Roland Dane met with General Motors in Melbourne on Wednesday, but said his discussions with the company were ongoing.
“They have got a lot on their plates at the moment with 220-odd dealers between two countries and 800-odd employees themselves to deal with,” Dane said.
Seamer would not speculate on what involvement GM would have beyond this year.
“They are working through what their ongoing presence is going to be in Australia … as part of those discussions we will be talking to them about what the possibilities are for Supercars,” Seamer said.
Supercars has been built on the tribal battle between Holden and Ford, but Seamer was confident the series would not suffer without its traditional red versus blue battles.
“If you look at what most people are here for, it’s the entertainment, it’s the closeness of the racing,” Seamer said.
“Nowadays there is a lot of allegiance to team and a lot of allegiance to driver. A lot of the work that we are trying to do at the series level now is bringing the drivers to the fore.
“We’ll continue to focus on the team rivalries, the team allegiances and making the drivers the stars of the show.”