On a floating platform in Farm Cove near Sydney, Red Bull Holden Racing have lifted the veil over their new homologated Supercars racer for 2018, and as we know, it marks the first time the factory team has fielded a car that wears a body of an import model. Specifically, the ZB Commodore, seen here in full racing livery.
Come March, it’s due to have its debut race at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide, the car will be driven by Supercars champion Jamie Whincup and teammate Shane van Gisbergen, both of whom had the honour of officiating the revealing.
In February, Holden is due to launch their all-new Commodore, upon which this new Supercar takes its shape, and the first of its line to not be locally designed or manufactured. That particular shift did not have such a sizeable impact on the Red Bull Holden Racing team, though, as all entrants use a uniform space frame chassis and, for 2018, will retain the naturally aspirated V8 before conceding to a V6 twin-turbo power plant in 2019.
The team has focused much of their efforts in optimising their 2018 Commodore Supercar’s aerodynamics, and in that effort the ZB’s more streamline shape does help over the older VF body.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back racing this year, especially with the brand new body shell on the 2018 Commodore,” said 2016 Supercars champion van Gisbergen. “The guys and girls at Triple Eight have been working crazy hard to get our cars ready for the season, so hopefully we can do them and the Commodore nameplate proud this year.”
Whincup, meanwhile, says he’s looking forward to racing in what he describes as the best looking Commodore yet: “In my world, I consider today a very big deal. We’re not only showing our supporters our 2018 livery, we’re unveiling the new-look, next-generation Commodore supercar. It’s pretty special to be able to do that in this incredible setting.”
“We’ve decided to really change it up with the colour scheme this year, which looks awesome on the new body shape. We’re obviously hoping it’s a rocket, but I guess we’ll find out in Adelaide in just a few weeks’ time,” he added.
For more on Holden cars, check out our Showroom.
