Vodafone in Holden switch

Team Vodafone is to make the switch from Ford to Holden for the 2010 V8 Supercar Championship season.

Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup will be at the wheel of Holden Commodores next season after the deal was confirmed in a press conference at Holden headquarters in Melbourne with the announcement coming shortly after the team extended its deal with both Vodafone and its driver pairing.

"We are delighted to join the Holden family," TeamVodafone Managing Director, Roland Dane said. "Triple Eight Race Engineering started running with General Motors in the UK, winning many races and Championships, and it was only an anomaly due to circumstances that we did not race Holdens when we began in V8 Supercars.

"I have always wanted to put that right when the opportunity arose, which it now has.

"Although our relationship with GM in Europe is due to end, again due to circumstances, we recognise that we would not have got to where we are without them.

"It is an emotive topic for Triple Eight and we feel that as we have 'grown' with GM that we should continue to 'live' together with them, here with Holden."

Holden Executive Director Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, Alan Batey said the company was delighted by the announcement.

"Holden has a long and proud history in Motorsport that stretches back over 40 years and today's announcement is an exciting step into the next chapter," he said. "Our commitment and passion for Motorsport has not waived.

"Today we are making a clear statement on just how much we value this sport and how much we value winning.

"We are very excited about working with TeamVodafone and are thrilled to welcome back both Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup to the Holden family."