Pender named new Kmart team manager.

Kmart Racing has announced that Erik Pender will become team manager of the two-time Bathurst-winning outfit for the 2005 V8 Supercar Championship Series.

Pender, who has engineered Greg Murphy's #51 Commodore for the past four seasons after previous experience with the Holden Racing Team and Holden Young Lions operations, takes over from Rob Crawford.

Crawford will take up a position as the V8 Supercar Championship Series Technical Director, replacing the Europe-bound Paul Taylor.

With a new driver in the form of Garth Tander to join Rick Kelly for next year, Pender is looking forward to his new role within the Bathurst winning team.

"2005 is a very exciting time for the team and there'll be a slightly different look to the operation next year with Garth on board and my new role," he said. "The group of people we have here are second to none and it's full steam ahead for next season once the final three rounds of this year's championship are complete."

Crawford has been the Team Manager of the Kmart Racing outfit since it was established in 2001 and sees his new job opportunity as an exciting time in his career.

"I've had a wonderful time with Kmart Racing over the past four seasons," he said. "This opportunity arose and I've decided to take it. I have a young family and the sheer amount of time and commitment is massive in the position I've been in. It will be a bit of a change of lifestyle but one I'm looking forward to.

"The wheels are certainly not falling off at Kmart Racing either. They won't be lacking for anything when the new season starts in 2005."

Crawford will remain with the team until the end of season and start at his new post in 2005.