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Holden has yet to decide on when it will introduce its upcoming VF model Commodore sheet-metal into the V8 Supercars Championship says the company’s sponsorship manager Simon McNamara.
The face-lifted Commodore is expected to arrive in showrooms during the third quarter of 2013 – several months after V8 Supercars’ Car of the Future hits the race track.
While earlier this month a Holden spokesman played down to Speedcafe.com the possibility introducing the VF race car at the start of the 2013 season, a report by Carsguide.com.au suggesting that several teams are pushing the manufacturer to fast-track the car’s racing debut has reignited speculation.
When contacted on the matter by Speedcafe.com, Holden provided a written statement from its sponsorship manager Simon McNamara.
“We do not comment on speculation,” read the statement in part.
“We are passionate about our motorsport involvement, but there is always substantially more to consider then just racing.
“So whatever we do, it will be a decision made on it being right for Holden and our entire business.”
Speedcafe.com understands that, once the upcoming brake testing program has been completed, Holden will take charge of V8 Supercars’ VE Commodore-bodied COTF prototype in order to begin developing the racing versions of the VF body panels.
Although V8 Supercars has yet to confirm details of its aerodynamic testing program, it is thought that, regardless of its eventual race debut, a VF Commodore could be run in an open-air comparison with the VE Commodore, FG Falcon and Nissan Altima as early as September.
Such a test would likely use the FG as a performance benchmark, with VE, VF and Altima panel work all potentially run on the current Holden prototype chassis, which would ensure that all cars are tested using the same suspension packages.
Kelly Racing, which will reintroduce Nissan to the sport next year, has previously stated a preference for wind tunnel testing in order to achieve aerodynamic parity.
CLICK HERE for Speedcafe.com’s previous story on V8 Supercars’ aero testing options.
CLICK HERE for Speedcafe.com’s story on the upcoming brake testing
