Holden will announce tomorrow an export program for the Commodore, which will see the Adelaide [Australia] made car become a race and showroom star in the United States. Though sales of the Elizabeth-produced sedan continue to slide in Australia, a Commodore V8 will be exported to America where it will be sold with the Chevrolet SS Performance badge. In that guise, it would also star for the heartland brand in the NASCAR stock car racing series, which runs second only to Formula One in global popularity. Holden has been testing left-hand drive cars on public roads in Victoria in recent weeks and running it head-to-head with one of its strongest potential rivals, the Dodge Charger, as it finalises its end of the important new deal. Motorsport sources in the USA hint that an announcement of the Chevrolet SS program is imminent, including the Holden connection. The coming VF Commodore as the donor car for the program ticks the boxes for American muscle car fans, and NASCAR stock car racing as well, thanks to its V8 engine, large body and rear-wheel drive. Former GM Holden president Mark Reuss, now the head of GM operations in the US and a known fan and supporter of the Commodore, dodged Carsguide’s questions on a link between the SS program and the Commodore. Holden chairman Mike Devereux also refused to comment on the strengthening rumours in the US, which were triggered by the announcement. Full-scale testing of the racer is expected to begin soon, and the bodywork expected to be revealed at the same time.(Jayski)

Infiniti luxury cars, Nissan’s upmarket division, were a co-sponsor among motor racing’s elite at the Motor Sport Magazine Hall of Fame Awards, held recently in London’s Roundhouse. The awards highlight the achievements of people involved in motor racing and induct four new names annually.

Red Bull’s Adrian Newey, who is the only designer to have won constructors championships with three different teams (five with Williams and one with McLaren), was honoured. Also inducted was world championship driver and rider, John Surtees (the only man to have won both bike and F1 world championships) and the late Colin McRae; world rally champion and motorcycle legend.

Italian motorcycle road racer, Giacomo Agostini, who has won no fewer than 15 world championships, was also inducted. Agostini is the leader in victories in motorcycle Grand Prix history, gaining 122 wins and 15 world championship titles.

Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner and other representatives arrived at the event in Infiniti vehicles. Already a celebrated name in motorsport through its partnership with Red Bull Racing, Infiniti was a presence at the prestigious awards ceremony via displays of the new Sebastian Vettel Version FX, Infiniti FX and Infiniti coupe and convertibles.

Introducing Adrian Newey to the stage, Horner was demonstrative in his praise for the designer, who was last year described as a “scarce resource” by CEO of McLaren Racing, Martin Whitmarsh. Newey joins an eminent list of previous inductees including Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, Jim Clark, Enzo Ferrari, Ron Dennis and many others.

A crowd of 500 people turned out to celebrate legends in motor sport and enter a charity raffle on behalf of the Henry Surtees Foundation. Prizes included a TAG Heuer watch and eight-scale amalgam model of Sebastian Vettel’s championship winning car from last year.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (December 5, 2011) – Penske Racing announced today that it has reached a mutual agreement with driver Kurt Busch to end its driver/race team relationship, effective immediately.    
 
The team will evaluate its options for the driver of the No. 22 Sprint Cup Series car in the future while Busch will seek new opportunities with another race team. 
 
“I appreciate the victories that Kurt has brought Penske Racing and our sponsors over the past six years,” said Roger Penske. “While I am disappointed that Kurt will not be racing for our team in the future, both Kurt and I felt that separating at this time was best for all parties, including our team and sponsors. I wish Kurt the best in his future racing endeavors.”
 
“I am grateful to Penske Racing for six very productive years,” said Busch. “Together we won a lot of races -16 in all. Leaving a great organization and a lucrative contract is not easy, but it’s an important step for me and allows me to take a deep breath to work on things that can make me a better driver and a better person. I want to personally thank Roger Penske for the opportunity that he has given me.”
 
Penske Racing is one of the most successful teams in the history of professional sports. Competing in a variety of disciplines, cars owned and prepared by Penske Racing have produced 350 major race wins, 412 pole positions and 23 National Championships. For more information about Penske Racing, please visit www.penskeracing.com.

Sad News – Dan Wheldon: Dan Wheldon, the 2011 Indianapolis 500 winner and one of the most popular drivers in open-wheel racing, died Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in a horrific multi-car crash only 11 laps into the IndyCar Series season finale. Officials decided to call the race, but the drivers did a five-lap tribute to Wheldon. IndyCar Series CEO Randy Bernard made the official announcement of Wheldon’s death without further comment. “IndyCar is very sad to announce that Dan Wheldon has passed away from unsurvivable injuries,” Bernard said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family today. IndyCar, its drivers and owners, have decided to end the race. In honor of Dan Wheldon, the drivers have decided to do a five-lap salute to in his honor.” Wheldon, 33 and the 2005 series champion from Emberton, England, was competing in only his third IndyCar race of the season, trying to win the event and earn a $5 million bonus that was part of a league promotion for drivers who didn’t compete full-time in the series this year.(ESPN via Jayski)(10-16-2011)

The Wheldon family is in our prayers, as are the other drivers injured in this tragedy.

The MotorSportsNews.Net(work) staff