Team Buick joins V8 Supercar Series for historic first visit

buza · 21 Apr 2005, 08:01 (Ref:1283595)

From http://www.v8supercar.com.au/news/la...nd=M&gid=16124
Rick Kelly will carry the flag for Team Buick in the inaugural Chinese round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series at Shanghai on June 10-12.

The two-time Bathurst champion’s #15 Commodore VZ will be sponsored by Buick Motor Sport for the historic event and carry a special livery incorporating signage representing the General Motors Buick brand on sale in China.

Still run by his regular HSV Dealer Team squad under team manager Rob Crawford, the entry is part of GM’s commitment to maximising the potential of its involvement in the ‘fly-away’ race and its relevance to the Chinese market.

“Buick will be the sponsor of Rick’s car for the Chinese race and having them involved is definitely a major benefit for the expansion of the V8 Supercar category internationally,” said Holden’s Director of Performance and Racing, Ray Borrett.

“The link for Holden comes with GM introducing the Buick Royaum in China based on Holden’s renowned Statesman and Caprice luxury cars. These Buicks will also feature as the official vehicle for the event in Shanghai.

“It also gives a chance for GM to build its brand awareness through a new medium in the region.”

Kelly took pole position for the opening round this season in Adelaide and is excited about the prospect of taking Australia’s number one motorsport category to a new overseas audience.

“To be racing at such a fantastic facility as the new Shanghai circuit is a great thing for our category,” said Kelly.

“We have the chance to showcase another of the brands in the General Motors garage and Buick has some strong history in motorsport so I’d like to think we could write a new chapter in China.

“We’ve become used to the trip across to New Zealand but China is a new frontier. I don’t know what sort of weather we’ll face and how harsh it will be and we will have to learn about the circuit as well and tune our cars without data to work off from previous years as we do with other tracks. I’m not sure my Mandarin will be up to scratch either!”

Buick first began in motorsport in the early 1900s, ironically enough with a young Louis Chevrolet, which of course is another brand name now under the GM banner.

The brand has achieved success in NASCAR racing, winning the Winston Cup with Darrell Waltrip in 1981/82 and Bobby Allison in 1983. In those three years they won a total of 53 Winston Cup races.

A turbo-charged V8 engine took Buick to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, first appearing in 1984 and running until 1994 when the program was sold to wealthy businessman John Menard. Its best finish was a third in 1992 by Al Unser Snr.

Buick has also achieved success on the dragstrip, Kenny Bernstein driving a series of Buick-bodied Funny Cars to NHRA championships in 1987/88.

James63 · 21 Apr 2005, 08:03 (Ref:1283596)

Hrmm...this livery doesn't seem to rip off any other team in the championship...Guess there is a first time for everything.

peckstar · 21 Apr 2005, 09:09 (Ref:1283634)

ive owned a buick, but let me say the using he buick name seems less logical after reading this release

F J Nedos · 21 Apr 2005, 09:46 (Ref:1283680)

All I know is that when they get back to Australia, they should at least keep the colour/paint scheme. Its still corporately consistent with the colours of their current cars, but its different enough to be able to identify them as their own entity.

**GTRMagic** · 21 Apr 2005, 11:20 (Ref:1283757)

Of significant interest is that only the #15 car if Mr "CB" Kelly will be painted in "Team Buick" colours for the China round...

As I understand it, the #16 car of Mr Tander will retain the HRT-esque colour ensemble for the round....

The superimposed "Team Buick" on the driver's shirt is worse than some of the logo work done in the fantasy championship

Oh... the Chinese have their own website for Supercar too... http://www.v8supercar.com.cn/

EGG · 21 Apr 2005, 16:21 (Ref:1283937)

I was about to ask if this counted as a "3rd manufacturer" of sorts, but they haven't changed the logo on the front of the car...

DarthFalcon · 26 Apr 2005, 06:58 (Ref:1287615)

I think it would have been cooler to have Buick written in Chinese.

I wonder if any of the teams will choose to 'translate' their livery to Chinese characters. That would be interesting!

mabs_nsx · 26 Apr 2005, 07:21 (Ref:1287626)

Quote:

Originally Posted by EGG

I was about to ask if this counted as a "3rd manufacturer" of sorts, but they haven't changed the logo on the front of the car...

It would be counted as a 3rd manufacturer. Take a look at the picture:
http://www.v8supercar.com.au//v8data...ARGE_16124.JPG

billy bigtime · 26 Apr 2005, 07:28 (Ref:1287630)

Considering the number of panels "Demolition Dick" goes through, I am surprised at the chosen driver for this race

cow · 26 Apr 2005, 07:29 (Ref:1287632)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Oh... the Chinese have their own website for Supercar too... http://www.v8supercar.com.cn/

Thanxs GTR if only i could read Chinese that linx would have been good!!

F J Nedos · 26 Apr 2005, 10:10 (Ref:1287732)

Quote:

Originally Posted by billy bigtime

Considering the number of panels "Demolition Dick" goes through, I am surprised at the chosen driver for this race

If you think about it, they will revert to HSVDT colours and panels when they get back... so who cares if he buggers up the buick ones.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Team Buick???	hrt_rulz01	Australasian Touring Cars.	7	28 Mar 2005 20:43
Wakefield Joins Morris For Sandown & Bathurst V8 Supercar Endurance Races	RaceTime	Australasian Touring Cars.	70	25 Aug 2003 05:00