Team BOC confirms union with Holden, Walkinshaw.

By Matthew Agius

After seven years driving Fords in the V8 Supercar Championship Series, Team BOC today confirmed its switch to Holden at the official launch of its 2008 campaign.

After several seasons struggling with under performing Falcons, the team was expected to join Holden for 2008 - forming a technical alliance with Walkinshaw Performance.

Today's official launch confirmed the rumours, with the team set to use ex-Holden Racing Team Commodores - proven V8 Supercars - during this season.

Additionally, Cameron McConville was announced as the team's new drivers, re-joining incumbent Andrew Jones, a former team mate at Garry Rogers Motorsport.

Having finished well down the order during the 2007 V8 Supercar series, team owner, Brad Jones, anticipates a much stronger campaign this year, given the success of Walkinshaw Performance teams over the past two years.

"We have a pair of very good vehicles," said Jones.

"One of them, driven by Todd Kelly, won last year's final round and the other was used by Mark Skaife in the second half of last year.

"Our first (test) run is on 12 February at Winton. It's an opportunity to have a good run and start to understand the cars.

"It's exciting from the point of view that all Victorian competitors will be there and we can quickly measure ourselves up against the opposition."

Despite the move to Walkinshaw Performance, Team BOC is likely to face tough competition from other championship teams. Current Walkinshaw beneficiaries include the Holden Racing Team - which will have a crack combination of current champion Garth Tander and five-time series winner Mark Skaife - and the Toll HSV Dealer Team, which has claimed the past two V8 titles.

Furthermore, several other teams will gain assistance from Walkinshaw Performance this year, with the Valvoline Cummins Race Team, Paul Weel Racing and Tony D'Alberto Racing all gaining engine support.

Ford will also present its challenge through traditional frontrunners - Team Vodafone and Ford Performance Racing.

"I expect it to be even tighter than it was over the last few years - If that's possible," said Jones.

"Especially from eight to 25th the gap will shrink so just to qualify in the top 15 will be a huge task, but our boys are up to it, and we hope to have at least one car running in the top ten from the start."

Team BOC has also snared several other big names, with former Tasman Motorsport lead engineer, Walley Storey, joining the Albury squad.

Importantly, the switch to Holden has the blessing from the manufacturer's racing powerbrokers - Simon McNamara and Tom Walkinshaw himself.

"It's always good to see more cars with red windscreen stickers than blue," said McNamara.

"The Jones boys have strong Holden history at Holden Racing Team and with AUSCAR Commodores. It's good to have them back on board and we hope they go well."

"We are pleased to be involved with Team BOC and believe that they have the necessary ingredients in place to once again become a front-running team," added Walkinshaw.

Team BOC's 2008 V8 Supercar campaign begins in three weeks at the Clipsal 500 Adelaide - to be held from February 21.