It just on two months before the first round of the 2005 Australian V8 Supercar championship. It's likely to be another good year, with plenty of drivers changing teams (discussed in earlier threads) and a round in China.

I've just been having a look at some V8 Supercar news, and noticed three interesting items.

First, the new Autobarn Racing Commodore of Alex Davison has been revealed: http://www.v8supercar.com.au/news/la...nd=M&gid=14658. This car will be run out of Larry Perkin's workshops. Rod Nash is the owner of the licence and the team boss. Must say the livery looks good.

Second, there has been a somewhat surprising decision by K-Mart to withdraw sponsorship from the Kelly Racing Team (formerly K-Mart Racing): http://www.v8central.com/v8supercar/...p?newsitem=646. This means that the Kelly Racing Team is looking for a new signing rights sponsor. Garth Tander and Rick Kelly will still drive for the team and as defending Bathurst champions, they shouldn't have too many problems finding a new sponsor.
There have been rumours that K-Mart will follow Greg Murphy to the PWR Racing team. Both Holden Motor Sport and K-Mart deny this at the moment, but it would make sense since K-Mart has based much of its advertising in Australia around Greg Murphy since 2000. An investment they may wish to continue. Rumours suggest that Super Cheap will be the main sponsor of PWR. However, don't be surprised if K-Mart joins PWR as a sponsor - possibly as a secondary sponsor. Its possible also that Super Cheap will instead take naming rights for the Kelly Racing Team and K-Mart at PWR. After all, both teams are Holden Motor Sport teams, so I guess a "swap" of sponsors is possible.

Third, Shell has announced that it will continue to support Dick Johnson Racing for another three year, but NOT as naming rights sponsor: http://www.v8central.com/v8supercar/...p?newsitem=647.
So DJR is looking for a new sponsor.

There will be plenty of news on the V8 Supercar scene over the next few weeks leading up to the first race. My suggestion is to keep it all on this thread, rather than making separate threads for each announcement that happens.