Red v Blue … who is the best?
November 12th 2007 02:23
Come March 2008, this question could be well on the way to being answered, at least for that point in time anyway, with the V8 Supercars Manufacturer’s Challenge being fought at the non-championship 2008 FORMULA 1™ ING Australian Grand Prix.
A new format for this non-points scoring round of the championship will see the ultimate Holden v Ford showdown as individual points are put aside and drivers race for the dominance of their chosen team.
The weekend will being on the Thursday with practice and qualifying, followed by races on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Pole position will be determined by the fastest car in qualifying, as usual, but once a Holden or Ford has earned the top place on the grid, all the other cars of that manufacturer will line up behind them, in order of fastest to slowest. Cars of the other manufacturer will line up on the other side behind their fastest qualifier.
So if Holden qualify in pole position, the next Holden on the grid will start in third, regardless of their actual qualifying position, and red cars will line up behind in fifth, seventh, ninth etc. With Holden on pole, the fastest qualifying Ford will line up second on the grid, again regardless of their true qualifying position, and the blue cars will start race one in positions two, four, six, eight etc.
A line of red against a line of blue.
Points will be combined from the results of each race to ascertain which manufacturer takes out the Challenge.
Australian Grand Prix Corporation chief executive Drew Ward is excited about the new format, “It’s the question that’s been around for as long as Ford and Holden: which make is better?” Mr Ward said. “We’ll find out in March at Albert Park.”
V8 Supercars Australia chairman Tony Cochrane can see the potential in a manufacturers challenge, “this Blue versus Red Challenge gives us the chance to showcase Australian racing, manufacturing and engineering excellence.”
But what about the manufacturers themselves?
Both Ford and Holden are enthusiastic about showing off their superior product. Holden’s Simon McNamara reminded Ford that Holden are the current champions following Rick Kelly’s victory last year, “…and we’re running a new generation car. It’s obvious who the best manufacturer is. We’re really going to get behind this event,” he gushed.
Funnily enough, Ford don’t agree. Spokesman Ray Price countered by saying that he believes Ford will easily take out the win, “…our teams thrive on competition. This one off event will promote even more competitive enthusiasm and rivalry - especially when you take Championship points out of the equation."
The 2008 Australian Grand Prix will be held at Albert Park from the 13th to the 16th of March. Bookings can be made at www.grandprix.com.au or through Ticketek.
Images courtesy of V8x
A new format for this non-points scoring round of the championship will see the ultimate Holden v Ford showdown as individual points are put aside and drivers race for the dominance of their chosen team.
The weekend will being on the Thursday with practice and qualifying, followed by races on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Pole position will be determined by the fastest car in qualifying, as usual, but once a Holden or Ford has earned the top place on the grid, all the other cars of that manufacturer will line up behind them, in order of fastest to slowest. Cars of the other manufacturer will line up on the other side behind their fastest qualifier.
So if Holden qualify in pole position, the next Holden on the grid will start in third, regardless of their actual qualifying position, and red cars will line up behind in fifth, seventh, ninth etc. With Holden on pole, the fastest qualifying Ford will line up second on the grid, again regardless of their true qualifying position, and the blue cars will start race one in positions two, four, six, eight etc.
A line of red against a line of blue.
Points will be combined from the results of each race to ascertain which manufacturer takes out the Challenge.
Australian Grand Prix Corporation chief executive Drew Ward is excited about the new format, “It’s the question that’s been around for as long as Ford and Holden: which make is better?” Mr Ward said. “We’ll find out in March at Albert Park.”
V8 Supercars Australia chairman Tony Cochrane can see the potential in a manufacturers challenge, “this Blue versus Red Challenge gives us the chance to showcase Australian racing, manufacturing and engineering excellence.”
But what about the manufacturers themselves?
Simon McNamara - Holden Motorsport Manager
Both Ford and Holden are enthusiastic about showing off their superior product. Holden’s Simon McNamara reminded Ford that Holden are the current champions following Rick Kelly’s victory last year, “…and we’re running a new generation car. It’s obvious who the best manufacturer is. We’re really going to get behind this event,” he gushed.
Ray Price - Ford Racing Manager
The 2008 Australian Grand Prix will be held at Albert Park from the 13th to the 16th of March. Bookings can be made at www.grandprix.com.au or through Ticketek.
Images courtesy of V8x
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