Holden and Triple Eight Race Engineering have reached an “amicable agreement” over the early termination of the manufacturer’s factory Supercars contract.
Last year, Holden signed a two-year extension to its factory deal with Triple Eight, which was meant to cover both the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
However, this was cast into serious doubt following the announcement that GM would be culling the Holden brand by the end of 2020.
A statement from Triple Eight confirms the Red Bull / Holden partnership will also come to an end as a result.
“GM Holden and Triple Eight Race Engineering have reached an amicable agreement in the wake of Holden’s announcement that the manufacturer will be closing later this year.
“The settlement, the details of which are commercially confidential, will see the Red Bull Holden Racing Team remain on the grid in its present guise until the end of the current Virgin Australia Supercars Championship season. The existing contract had been due to expire at the end of 2021.
“The two powerhouses of Australian motor racing joined forces in 2010, winning on debut in Abu Dhabi and going on to claim a one-two finish in the Bathurst 1000 in the same year. In total, Holden and Triple Eight together have claimed eight teams’ championships, six drivers’ titles and four Bathurst 1000 victories.
“The future branding of Triple Eight’s Supercars team is yet to be determined, with the current contract between co-title partner Red Bull and Triple Eight in place until at least the end of the 2021 season.
“The whole team at Triple Eight extends their heartfelt thanks to Holden, all Holden employees past and present with whom we’ve interacted, and the dealer network for their incredible support and friendship over the past decade.
“The team is totally committed to delivering the best possible results, both on and off the track, for the remainder of the season.”
A statement from GM Holden lauded Triple Eight for its success with the brand since 2010.
“Holden is pleased to have reached an amicable contract settlement with Triple Eight Race Engineering, and we along with everyone else are looking forward to seeing race cars on the track again soon.
“Motorsport has made an enormous contribution to the Holden brand and we are very proud of those on track achievements that can never be erased.
“Holden and Triple Eight have achieved a lot together since 2010 and that is something that we sincerely hope continues for the rest of this season.
“Holden is thankful to all the Commodore teams for their commitment and support, but particularly Triple Eight who have been fantastic partners.
“We all want to see the winning continue and what better way than a victory at Bathurst and a Supercars championship to send the Holden brand off in style.”
Triple Eight took over full factory status from Walkinshaw Racing in 2017, several years after having run in rivalling Ford machinery.
While the announcement marks the end of Holden’s factory involvement in Supercars, Commodore’s are still set to take to the grid next season, according to Supercars CEO Sean Seamer.
Image: Getty Images
