By Matthew Agius
The 2007 V8 Supercar Championship Series kicks off this weekend with brand new cars, brand new liveries and brand new ambitions as the biggest event on the calendar, the Clipsal 500 Adelaide, ignites what is set to be the longest championship in V8 Supercar history.
Based in Adelaide’s east parklands, the Clipsal 500 is one of the toughest events in the championship for drivers. Not on par with long-distance races such as Bathurst and Sandown, Adelaide ‘tough’ status comes from the hot, early March weather that the city’s Mediterranean climate produces. Coupled with the enclosed nature of the street circuit, the Clipsal 500 is one of the more entertaining races on the calendar.
V8 Supercar Championship News
This is the first year in a long time that an all new ‘Project Blueprint’ upgrade has been introduced to the V8 Supercar Championship. Not since the first parity project was introduced for the 2003 series has an all-new aerodynamic package been introduced to the series.
All due to Holden’s new VE Commodore, making its V8 debut in 2007, Project Blueprint ‘mark two’ is undoubtedly going to be one of the most watched factors of this year’s championship.
The VE has an extended front profile and the wheelbase is much wider when compared to the previous VY/VZ specifications.
Ford‘s BFII model, introduced this year as a slight facial enhancement on the old BA design, has essentially had its aerodynamics butchered when compared to its predecessor. The front splitter has very minimal protrusion and the side skirts are more flared with a wedge taken out near the front wheels.
This is the first ever fourteen-round V8 Supercar calendar, with Eastern Creek rejoining the season as a sprint round. A new points system will add some spice to the series, whilst a single qualifying session will also have punters watching who can make the best of an extended period with no chance of a top ten shootout to take pole.
Teams News
Toll HSV Dealer Team – Rick Kelly (#1), Garth Tander (#16)
Following an investigation into ownership of Holden’s two front running teams by the Touringcar Entrants Group Australia (TEGA), the Toll HSV Dealer Team will feature on the Clipsal 500 grid after their audit was approved by the franchise watchdog of the V8 Supercar Championship.
