Now that the team has moved, what is going to happen with the engineering and development of the FG falcon for Jim Beam Racing and Cruickshank Racing?

You annouced that you were developing a FG drive car for next year for Team Vodafone fans. This was only annoucned last week. When did the deal with Holden occur for you to say this last week and then announce today that Holden were sponsoring the team. It is just a little confusing to the fans of the team.

After discussing with a few fans last night as well as today, I think the main question that seems to come up in the discussions that I’ve had is: why? Why cross over to Holden now? Why not do it at the beginning of the year or late last year when you knew that you were going to lose backing from Ford?

Roland, thanks for some sensational outcomes for Ford to date and providing Jamie with outstanding opportunities. It’s been a fantastic ride.

Is there any way of assuring that T8 won’t engage in any ‘tanking’ or ‘throwing’ of races for the remainder of this season in order to ‘assist’ the new sponsor?

Thanks. Stephen Green, Leongatha.

Roland, I must commend you & your team especially in these current economic times when dollars are getting harder to come by. Not only are you able to find the sponsorship dollar, but you are able to lock them into long term deals, along with the drivers.

Clearly you have a great innovative team behind you to be able to pull this off, and you must have a clear vision & plan of where the team wants to go & pull everyone together to achieve this.

My question is: How are you able to achieve this and other teams in the sport not, what sets you apart in your opinion?

Hello Roland. Firstly I want to congradulate yourself and your team for bringing many special moments to remember to the V8's. You have two great drivers in Jamie and Craig, not only as ambassadors for the sport on the track but off the track as well.
My question to you: If you had not made the move to Holden next year, could you have retained Jamie and Craig as your drivers for the next three years. was this one of the influencing decisions regarding the move to Holden?

Roland, what I dont understand is that although your wins for 2009 have been classfied Ford wins, why dosnt 888 reconigse Ford on your cars like DJR and PCR do. Does the move to Holden and getting factory money mean we (V8 Supercars) will be back to Ford v Holden instead of Ford v Holden v Hogster?
After your actions of lets call it disowning Ford after the announcment last year, you lost a 888 supporter very quickly. From this fans point of view, forget the large teams and support the smaller teams.

Roland i dont have a question but i do want to say “Good job ” you did what was right for the team .

Roland,
Does minor sponsors like Nokia,Komatsu, Hogster and others are they following T8 as well.

Jughead

Hi Everyone,

This is the first time I have been online and chatted to you lot so go easy I am a novice.

Cheers,

RD

We are free to continue to supply Jim Beam Racing and PCR with all the parts that they need to go racing. In fact we already supply components at one level or another to every team in pitlane apart from Rod Nash and GRM.

Roland this question was bought up to Jamie and he has said it is more of a question for you. SO here Goes:

Will the cars next year keep the HOG badging on the front of the car. I have come to like seeing the little Hog Badge. Am hoping it will stay

On the FG ride car I have to say Hands Up! this was a red herring to put several people off the scent for a little longer.

The ride car is being built now but it will become a Holden. We did originally intend for the car to be an FG some months ago but the situation obviously changed. Our expectation is to be able to show this car and use it at our annual fan day at the end of this year…all being well.

Hi Roland,

My hats off to you my good sir, you are indeed the smartest operator this country has seen in motorsport circles.

My question is, how far off are you on having a VE ready to race?

Lozza timing is everything and budgets are often set nine to 12 months ahead so the opportunity to go to Holden only came up during this year. As far as why goes, firstly Holden are becoming a major sponsor of the team for the next three years and equally importantly Triple Eight was originally formed in the UK with the help of Holden’s sister company Vauxhall and therefore it has always been an ambition of mine to link up with GM downunder.

Stephen you have got to be having a laugh…there’s two hopes of that, bob hope and no hope! we are racers

Craig thankyou for your assessment of our capabilities regarding sponsorship and planning. I can’t comment really on other teams but I know everyone at Triple Eight/TeamVodafone works extremely hard to give sponsors full value for money whether its Craig and Jamie or the guys in the factory that you never see at the race track.

how do you think the existing holden teams that have not got manufacturer support will react to your 3 year deal of sponsorship

Hey Roland,

Firstly well done, obviously a business decision and a very good one at that.

When you first brought triple 8 to Australia was it your intention to buy the Holden Racing Team. And also, if I am correct the HRT franchise is up for contract at the end of this season. Is the switch to Holden part of a plan to become the factory team?

Also, are there any of the Holden teams you plan to make a strong technical/engineering alliance with?

Kiwigirl - Craig and Jamie left it completely up to the team to make the decision regarding what brand of car we race in the future.