Preview - 2007 V8 Supercar Championship Series.

By Matthew Agius

With a huge fourteen-round calendar, a new manufacturer possessing the number one plate and a myriad of teams capable of winning races, the 2007 V8 Supercar Championship Series is heating up to be one of the best in living memory.

With the all new Holden VE Commodore and Ford's updated BFII Falcon hitting the streets of Adelaide in the opening round, punters both new and old will know that this will be a cracker of a championship.

But what distinguishes the 2007 series from that of previous seasons?

2007 represents the biggest wholesale change in V8 Supercar racing since 2003. In that year, the BA Falcon and VY Commodore were introduced - the former, a totally revised update to its disastrous predecessor, the latter a mere upgrade of the VX.

In 2007, the tables have turned, and the VE marks a total change in terms of body and technology for Holden operations, whilst the BFII sports a revised aero package compared to the BA model.

In addition to the introduction of two new cars, only the VZ Commodore will be permitted to compete - with only a few smaller Holden teams likely to run the old package. The BA Falcon has been completely phased out after four years of successful competition - becoming the highest race-winning car in Australian Touring Car Championship history.

A new points system, designed to reward winning rather than consistency has also been included in this year's championship structure. Following two seasons where the champion took a conservative approach to his racing, and where last year saw Rick Kelly not even take a round win, a brand new points arrangement has been developed to give more incentive to race hard and go for wins.

Fourteen championship rounds feature in this years championship. Following the Clipsal 500 Adelaide with its two 250 kilometre races, a series of three-race sprint rounds will feature, with all races covering 120 kilometres in distance (it's a wonder therefore, why some events possess names such as the Bigpond 400). The traditional endurance races at Sandown (500 kilometres) and the legendary Bathurst 1000 divide the short distance events, before a final run of races including the Indy 300 support event, the second-ever trip to Bahrain and the final round at Phillip Island.

Eastern Creek also returns to the championship at the start of the year, with a three race round heralding its addition to the calendar after a one year hiatus.

Form Guide in Brief

Holden

Holden's arsenal looks promising for 2007, with the likes of the Toll HSV Dealer Team and Holden Racing Team's again looking like the General's star operations. However with unspectacular times in testing thus far, it appears as though many of the Commodore outfits are having difficulties coming to grips with the new model.

Indeed, after the two aforementioned teams, Holden's talent pool appears quite shallow. Daylight separates the Walkinshaw Performance squads from the rest of the field. Only the likes of Jack Daniel's Racing and Supercheap Auto Racing strike as any real chance of challenging these teams, but JDR has two rookies, whilst Supercheap has had difficulties preparing even one new car for the season start.

Tasman Motorsport also poses a threat, although they will need to get a grasp on the new package in addition to the inconsistent setup of pervious seasons.

For Holden to maintain its mantle as Drivers' Champion and retain the number one plate, it really needs to provide assistance to some of the smaller teams, especially if the current saga with the Holden Racing Team and Toll HSV Dealer Team goes awry for those concerned.

At this stage Holden's championship contenders are names such as Garth Tander, Todd Kelly and Mark Skaife.

Can Rick Kelly defend his title? After a conservative approach in 2006, netting just one race win, it looks like 2007 will be interesting for the young champion - racing hard will be his key for victory, but will his conservative approach be entrenched at least for the start of the season?

My tipsLead championship charger: Garth TanderBest at Bathurst: Mark Skaife/Todd KellyTop TeamHolden Racing Team

Ford

The Blue Oval lost its Drivers' and Teams' crowns in 2006. But it has laid solid foundations for its 2007 campaign. A spread of teams has the ability to challenge in 2007 - the usual Blue Oval frontrunners in Ford Performance Racing and TeamVodafone have again showed promise in pre-season testing, especially FPR. Ex-champions Stone Brothers Racing look to improve this year, after a disappointing 2006 that saw them lose their title as the best team and driver combination in the series.

In addition, there are a handful of other Ford teams that may surprise. Jim Beam Racing (nee DJR) really impressed in testing, with Steven Johnson putting down some solid laptimes at Queensland Raceway. In addition, Team Kiwi Racing looks to benefit from a technical alliance with Ford Performance Racing to give Paul Radisich a suitable machine.

The biggest question for Ford is how well its top operators will challenge the Walkinshaw Performance arm from Holden - an operation able to drawn upon vast resources, and important experience in the championship. Most Falcons should have no trouble rounding up some of the smaller Holden teams, but the Toll HSV and HRT will be the biggest challenge for deposed champions Ford to overcome.

My tipsLead championship charger: Craig LowndesBest at Bathurst: Steven Richards/Mark Winterbottom or Craig Lowndes/Jamie WhincupTop TeamFord Performance Racing

The 2007 championship gets underway this weekend in Adelaide for the annual Clipsal 500, to be held in the East Parklands of the South Australian capital.