Holden’s high-performance division HSV has just announced that is has struck up a relationship with V8 Supercars, and will become the Official Safety and Course Car Supplier to V8 Supercars for the 2011 season.

General Manager of Marketing at HSV, Tim Jackson, said HSV is thrilled to be increasing its presence at V8 Supercar rounds by supplying the safety and course cars for the 2011 Championship.

“We have been in discussions for some time with V8 Supercars, and it is great that we have been able to strike this type of relationship.”

“In addition to the safety and course cars, our association includes some exclusive on-track initiatives for HSV, and provides us a great opportunity to integrate our entire race relations program which incorporates the Holden Racing Team, Bundaberg Racing, Garth Tander, Greg Murphy, Fabian Coulthard and Cameron McConville.”

“We look forward to providing consumers a very exclusive on-track HSV Drive Experience with our race drivers at selected events, as well as expanding on the ‘Speed Trap’ at Bathurst by incorporating it into more events, and utilising more data for fans to enjoy.”

V8 Supercars CEO Martin Whitaker said it’s great to have HSV on board leading the 2011 V8 Supercar field. (more…)

Nissan Australia has just released photographs of its blistering GT-R sports coupe which will appear as the official Safety Car during the upcoming 2009 Australian V8 Supercar Championship Series.

Specially fitted with high visibility safety lights inside the cabin the Nissan GT-R makes its first appearance among the V8 touring cars in Adelaide on March 14.

The GT-R goes on sale in Australia in April and has already found approximately 150 owners.

Nissan Australia Managing Director, Dan Thompson said the decision to provide a GT-R to the V8 Supercar Series was a popular one at the company. “Australian Touring Cars have enjoyed immense popularity through the years and Nissan is delighted to become a corporate partner from this season,” he said.

“As most Australian race fans know, Nissan has enjoyed a very successful track record in the past and this year we are very excited at again being part of the support action. “Just this week we heard about a new plan by the GT-R team to return to Germany’s Nurburgring in April where the GT-R already holds a lap record for the fastest production car at the circuit — a scorching 7m 29 secs. And with the latest 2009 GT-R now in play, Nissan’s Chief Test Driver Toshio Suzuki will have his sights set on an even faster lap time,” said Thompson.

Nissan will also provide a new AWD Murano crossover at major Touring Car rounds as a Course Car.

V8 Supercar Series, CEO Cameron Levick said Nissan has a proud history in Australian Touring Cars particularly through the 1980s and early 1990s so it is a welcome return for the manufacturer. “They made their name in those days in the Championship and particularly at Bathurst with Mark Skaife, Jim Richards co dominating at the time,” said Levick.

“There were certainly some mixed emotions back then and plenty of passion surrounding the GT-R. Now almost 20 years later Nissan is back again as a valuable addition to the sport and a fantastic new partner,” he said.