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March 21^st, 2003

Holdens hit the track, but ownership crisis continues

HOLDEN’S embattled V8 super-teams have been cleared to race in Adelaide this weekend, winning another reprieve from officials over the continuing management crisis.

A deal brokered this week with the Touring Car Entrants Group (TEGA) board saw the Holden Racing Team, Kmart Racing Team and Team Brock emerge for opening practice this morning, despite being ineligible to compete under the sport’s ownership rules.

Since Holden purchased the teams' parent, TWR Australia, they have been in breach of two rules: one, a manufacturer cannot own a V8 Supercar team, and two, an owner cannot run more than four cars.

“The board has been insistent that the rules must be upheld at all times,” TEGA chairman Kelvin O'Reilly said in a prepared statement today.

It is understood Holden and its new racing head, Ray Borrett, are still in talks to offload the teams, with Team Brock likely to split with the HRT and KMart franchises in any sale.