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Garry Rogers Motorsport drivers Lee Holdsworth and Michael Caruso could have a brand-new car each for Bathurst this year.
The Fujitsu-backed Holden team has begun construction of two new Commodores. The cars are likely to be the last-ever constructed under V8’s current regulations. Ford Performance Racing is also close to debuting two new cars.
Team owner Garry Rogers says that the cars will be ready before year’s end, and might be seen within the next few months.
“We’d like to think that we’ll have them both done for the end of the year,” he told Speedcafe.com.
“But fabricator shops are very dependent on race drivers and other people’s activities, if you know what I mean …
“If we can get a crack at both the cars without interruptions with crashes or the like over the next few months, then there’s every chance we could get them both done.”
Last year, Rogers’ team debuted a new car at Phillip Island. While he has no firm debut date for either car, he says that he is not keen on taking a brand-new chassis to Bathurst.
“Everyone has this big thing about debuting a new car at Bathurst, and I agree, I’m not sure that’s what you want to do,” he said.
“Certainly, I’d like to head to Bathurst with something tried and trusted, but in saying that, why are we building new cars?”
WIth Car of the Future regulations set to be implemented in 2013, Rogers is not concerned that his new cars will only be in competition for just over 12 months.
“What you have to do in this game now, even if there’s just a chance of a minor gain, you need to pursue it,” he said.
“Gains of any kind, minor or not, are hard to get. If you want to be in this, you’ve got to give it your best, otherwise you’ll be left behind.”
