Holden Cruze headlines one-make race series in UK

By George Skentzos | January 15th, 2010

While in Australia the Holden Commodore may take the motorsport spotlight as one-half of the V8 supercars starting grid, it has just been announced that the Cruze will headline a new one-make race series in the UK.

Falling under the Chevrolet banner in the UK, the Cruze will compete in near-standard form – save for a few handling and safety additions.

Having steered the Chevrolet Cruze to its maiden victory at World Touring Car level in Marrakech, British driver Rob Huff is one half of duo behind the Cruze Cup.

The other is former racing driver Paul McMillan from Wisbech, Cambs, whose Maxtreme Racing operation is offering privateer teams and drivers the opportunity to compete in the new series.

“Our aim is to offer drivers a chance to show their skills in equally matched cars in a fairly high profile series,” said McMillan. “The fact this is a car with racing pedigree, but is little different to what’s found in showrooms makes it all the more exciting.”

The Cruze Cup will consist of seven rounds of three 20-minute race at circuits across the UK, beginning at Rockingham, Northants as part of the Dunlop Sport Maxx cup in April.

Each car is based on a standard 1.8-litre Cruze featuring upgraded KW racing suspension and bespoke Rimstock alloy wheels.

zahmad

Don’t get me wrong, I dont hate any Holden’s/Ford’s etc…but this is just hilarious!

Trump

Sounds like V8 supercars, when the competition is too good, just develop a series without the competition!
Devil’s Advocate

Lucky for you it is a Chevrolet then zahmad…

Mike

Look good, I’d give it a go
GTR

LOL!
Baddass

Is it just me or is there now a lot of one-make race series? I personally don’t like them, especially when the cars are barely modified from the road-going versions. Makes it less exciting.

Philthy

V8 supercars are pretty much a one make series. Same engine specs, weight, suspension, gearbox… Only difference is the shells, which look kind of wonky anyway because they are cut and shut to fit the specified track and wheelbase

James

Hilarious! Not even running the 1.4 turbo engine… so each 20 minute round will be like 4 laps? Ok… maybe 5 laps

PN

I was just about to write that there would only be around 5 laps BUT you beat me to it! hahaha

MisterTwo

This isn’t as daft as it sounds. The Chevrolet (Daewoo) Lacetti (Holden Viva Sedan) is very competitive in the British Touring Car Championship against Hondas, Vauxhalls, SEATs, Fords, BMWs etc. Having a very mature motorsport industry means this will be very popular and good for grass roots development of drivers. That’s why there are back to back British F1 world Champions – where’s the Australian guy?

Evolution

MisterTwo

The reason the Daewoo’s race competitively is, like V8 Supercars, it’s all about parity.

The reason the Brits, and Europeans, have so many F1 champions is the strength of their open wheeler categories. Here, after Formula Ford, an open wheeler driver must venture overseas to continue their career to have any chance of making F1.

MisterTwo

My point exactly.

http://skyline The Salesman

“Each car is based on a standard 1.8-litre Cruze featuring upgraded KW racing suspension and bespoke Rimstock alloy wheels.”

It also has GO FAST stickers…….
john

British touring cars are very good to watch lots of pushing and shoving and close racing. Not like the local lot that can\’t take it or even give abit out to the other drivers when they deserve it and we all so have our own one car series race with mini’s.
http://www.v8supergeek.com Luke

“While in Australia the Holden Commodore may take the motorsport spotlight as one-half of the V8 supercars starting grid”

No, Commodores actually make up two-thirds of the V8 Supercars starting grid.

Evolution

Commodore supercar uses Falcon double wishbone front suspension, Holden Motorsport engine is a direct copy of Fords 5.0 litre engine, and they use the Ford 9 inch diff. So where exactly are the Holdens?

Mad Max

Holden does not use a Ford double wishbone front end. Both Ford and Holden use purpose built race chassis that happen to use wishbone front setups. Holden used McPherson struts until 3 or 4 years ago with great results. However under the original project blueprint, they were forced to change to double wishbones. They are not Ford setups! As for the 9″ diff, they are not Ford diffs, they are a mandatory use unit made by Harrop Engineering. Both Ford and Holden use the same set up.
The Holden Motorsport engines are not copies of Ford engines. They are based on the GM Performance NASCAR blocks and heads. When you see both the Ford and Holden engines stripped down, they are very different. If your going to talk about the subject, at least try and get your facts right!