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Peter McKay for Wheels Magazine:

The surprise move to purchase the rights to promote and run the 12 Hour certainly triggered a tsunami of comment in the grown-up media as well as the usual gossip – much of it ill-informed and hysterical – on blogs, Twitter and Facebook.

In some quarters, the bold act by V8 Supercars – the same rival category that earlier this year blocked its drivers from competing in the Bathurst 12 Hour – could be interpreted as being bad for the future of that enduro.

Some even suggested the V8s only wanted it to kill off a rising threat, a race with real momentum and one that in recent years has been emerging as an increasingly popular and significant event internationally.

Not so. V8 Supercars Australia (using owner Archer Capital’s money) wanted the 12 Hour for many fascinating reasons – mostly very positive for V8SA and some potentially beneficial for the race.

Let’s hope he’s right on this one.

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Bob Graziano, President and CEO of FoMoCo of Australia, sends the word via an internal email, as scooped by Speedcafe.com:

As we continue to transform our business, we would like to share with you news that will break soon on decisions we are making to ensure a bright future for Ford Australia.

This afternoon, we will announce we will provide support to teams racing Ford Falcons in the 2015 V8 Supercars series but will not renew our sponsorships after the 2015 season.

We are electing to invest our funds to continue expanding and refreshing our product lineup while delivering a leading consumer experience.

At least now there’s no uncertainty.

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SpeedCafe reports:

American giant Team Penske has confirmed it will join the 2015 V8 Supercars Championship with Marcos Ambrose in partnership with legendary outfit Dick Johnson Racing.

Ford, Dick Johnson Racing, Marcos Ambrose driving #17, and Team Penske. What could possibly go wrong?

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Nissan Motorsport TV:

Rick Kelly gets behind the wheel of the Jack Daniel’s Racing Nissan Altima for some hot laps of Australia’s only NASCAR track, the Calder Park Thunderdome.

With so few purpose-built tracks available in Australia, sad to see Calder in such a state.

(More)

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Matt Braid, Volvo Car Australia Managing Director:

“Volvo has a rich motorsport heritage in this country, including winning Australia’s most famous race, Bathurst, 15 years ago this coming October.

As the first luxury car brand to enter a factory team in the V8 Supercars Championship, we’re determined to add to this heritage, while strengthening the presence of the S60 model line and the Volvo brand here in Australia.”

A two-car team fielded by Garry Rogers Motorsport from 2014 onwards with support from Volvo’s global motorsports partner, Polestar, and the backing of Volvo Car Australia. Early reports indicate the team will use a Polestar-led development of the Yamaha B8444S V8 usually found in XC90 or S80 models.