Reply With QuoteShould switch to Holden
ChatterBox
Erebus motorsport has been offered limited backing to switch to Volvo next year.In an effort to attract support from AMG and Mercedes-benz,Erebus has had talks with Volvo about a deal to become the Swedish makers second V8 team.
As it gets no support from Mercedes and is a customer of AMG's HWA racing division,Volvo's overture could induce Erebus to change makes.
Although it is hoping to attract some sort of support from Mercedes after achieving a win in the AMG E63's second season and showing signs of becoming a consistent podium contender,no deal has been agreed.
With Erebus future surrounded by uncertainty,Volvo's offer of limited official support looks very good.
Volvo's global powertrain and motorsport boss Derek Crabb made it clear during a recent visit to Australia that included the Ipswich 400 that the company was keen to expand it's presence on the V8 grid next year.
Volvo wants it's factory backed GRM-run two-car squad joined by another pair of S60s,dangling a support package as an incentive for a team to swap makes. GRM would remain as the works team with full technical and financial assistance,while the secondary team would be supplied with engines and body panels.
After a season of relying on funding from wealthy team owner Betty Kilmenko,Erebus is looking to defray her multi-million dollar annual expenditure by securing major sponsorship and manufacturer support.The team is in talks with AMG customer support and Mercedes Benz Australia to gain some backing and also official recognition,which would aid efforts to attract brand name sponsorship.
Kilmenko bankrolled the huge development bill for the AMG-developed motors and aero kit for Erebus'Mercedes Benz AMG E63-look New generation V8 racers.The team this year took over engine development,cutting millions off the cost of it's alliance with AMG.
According to informed sources,there is still trenchant resistance at Mercedes Benz Australia to any official link to Erebus in V8 racing,including a deal limited to engine components and body panels.
Volvo's offer of race ready engines and body parts,including aero kits,would be tempting because the annual savings would be well into seven figures.A switch from E63 bodywork and AMG SLS-based motor to the S60's Volvo V8 mechanical's and body panels would be relatively straightforward as the chassis architecture is common.
Should switch to Holden
ChatterBox
Why would that be better?Originally Posted by wildweels
TopicToaster
Betty Klimenko has done a "Heart on her sleeve" job with Erebus. Her passion is incredible. I can understand why Mercedes/AMG haven't really been wrapped in what she's doing,...they didn't wanna see their AMG "getting hosed off by a Commodore down the main staight", etc etc.
In spite of that, & I have NO inside info, I don't see her going to Volvo.
Pickles.
ChatterBox
I know Betty is not short of a dollar but how long could she keep paying the bills on her own? If AMG or Mercedes don't start to chip in some coin the Volvo offer starts to sound mighty good. And i don't understand why Mercedes can't see the value of motorsport in Australia,but Volvo can.
Frank Gardener,Grice and Jim Richards in the stunning black JPS BMW's took on holden and ford in the 80's.And it helped sales of the 635 and the M3.
ForumSage
I think the "powers to be" at V8Supercars would be reluctant to see Erebus go to Volvo as they would lose a manufacturer. Better (for the sport) to get a crumpledoor team to jump ship as there is more of them.
ChatterBox
I see your point mate,i think Mercedes is missing a big chance with Erebus.But Betty can't keep paying the bills on her own.
ChatterBox
Scott Mclaughlin says the Volvo team is still learning the S60's secrets after an exhaustive test day at Winton last week.
The Kiwi reportedly completed 154 laps of the rural Victorian track with GRM the only V8 supercar team at the circuit."We learned a lot about the car in some ways"the Kiwi said."I don't know if pace-wise we found much,but we know what the car is doing now and what changes make it better and worse. We have got a little bit more tuneability you could say"
While the team launched the car in February this year the 21-year-old admitted GRM is still learning how to get the most out of the chassis despite being the second new generation chassis it has built.
"There's a different aero and engine package so the cars work in different ways.We have to get our set-ups right because we're starting from square one when we get to the track during the weekend".
Mclaughlin admitted reliability was still a focus given that the S60's long-range dependability has yet to be tested in a race meeting.
"We won't know exactly where we're at until the enduros.The boys are confident and the motors are doing more than a 1000 kays which is good."Enduro co-driver Greg Ritter also tested the S60,with the team still to confirm its final partnerships.
Alex Premat was absent from the test after returning to Europe.
TopicToaster
"Volvo Offer"?, like I said, I have no inside info, but my understanding is that if such a move occured, Volvo would not be providing many dollars,....in which case, Betty would be no better off than with the Mercedes, and she would also need to start winning to enable the team to find a major sponsor.
So, changing brands, building new cars etc, without a winning record?, I can't see much in it for her.
Pickles.
Swaggie
Sounds like Volvo just want presence on the grid. It will only be a couple of years before most of the field will be looking for new shells and manufacturer backing. They should be having bevvies with Red Bull now.
Cheers
Slunnie
~ Discovery II Td5 ~ Discovery 3dr V8 ~ Series IIa 6cyl ute ~ Series II V8 ute ~
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