Triple Eight focusses on two new Commodores for 2018

Holden is set to be the first manufacturer to make use of the new Gen2 regulations and do away with its V8 engine, with Triple Eight tasked with developing a new-generation Commodore, powered by a twin-turbo V6, as part of the new factory deal signed last year.

The new car is set to makes its debut next season, but that doesn’t mean there will be no Holden V8 power on the grid. Triple Eight boss Roland Dane confirmed to Motorsport.com that the focus is on having two Red Bull-backed next-gen cars ready for the start of next season, and ideally a third for Craig Lowndes.

However, there is not set plan for if and when the remainder of the squads running Holden hardware will make the switch.

“Our obligation, first and foremost, is to field two cars as the Red Bull Holden Racing Team,” explained Dane.

“That’s what we’re contracted to do. And obviously we’d like to be fielding three, with Craig’s car as well.

“Where any customer programme sits after that is really a function of when we’re ready to be able to distribute the relevant parts to people who want them, without compromising the main programme.

“Neither Holden nor Triple Eight have an obligation to do anything other than race two Red Bull Holden Racing Team cars, in the same way Nissan supply four cars for their own team, Volvo supplied two cars, etc.

“We’ve always been customer orientated, and we intend to continue to be. But our first priority is for the official team cars.”

Brad Jones, owner and boss of loyal Holden squad Brad Jones Racing, added that he is unsure where things will stand in terms of running the new car.

“I don’t know enough about it yet,” he told Motorsport.com in Perth. “I’ve had a few conversations about it, but I can’t tell you. I think Roland will have his cars there, but I just don’t know anything about them.

“We’re obviously looking at them, but I don’t know enough about it.”

The last time an all-new Commodore was introduced to the category was in 2013, when the VF arrived as part of the compulsory switch to Car of the Future regulations. The reg change meant a full fleet of 15 VF Commodores were ready in time for the pre-season test day, a process overseen by the Holden Racing Team, Triple Eight, and long-time Holden motorsport boss Simon McNamara, who parted ways with the organisation earlier this year. 

Public debut possible this year

Triple Eight has kept the development of the new car carefully under wraps thus far, with few details regarding the progress of the new chassis and V6 engine available outside of the team.

However, Dane hasn’t ruled out the car making a public appearance before the end of the season.

“It could happen,” he said. “We’ve always said we’d look at maybe showing it this year, as long as it wasn’t going to compromise any elements of rolling it out next year.

“We’re progressing with it, but it’s all behind closed doors at the moment. We’re not going to talk about the development of the car at all until we’re ready to show it in public.”