MOTORSPORT: 2010 V8 Supercar season preview

Can Jamie Whincup make it three-straight? Can the Holden Racing Team rebound to win its first driver's title in eight years? Can Ford Performance Racing finally win a title for the blue oval?

These are just some of the burning questions as Australia's leading motorsport series begins today in the Middle East with racing in Abu Dhabi then Bahrain. With only two days testing for most teams prior to the cars jetting overseas the opening two rounds will be the first chance for teams to figure out just where they fit in the order this year.

For: It hasn't taken long for the Triple Eight team to establish itself as one of, if not the, best team in V8 Supercar racing. Back-to-back titles with Whincup and three consecutive Bathurst 1000 wins are the highlights of sustained success from the Brisbane-based team.
Against: The switch to Holden this year has forced the team to endure another busy off season building new cars. Early reports from testing suggest it could take a couple of races for the team to get a proper handle on the cars. If that's the case then Whincup and Lowndes are at risk of losing valuable points in the title race.
Bottom line: New cars or not this team is too good not to be contenders.

For: The defending Team's Championship winners are aiming to not only retain that title but add the team's first driver's title since Mark Skaife triumphed back in 2002. That's a very long time between titles for Holden's factory team and it is fired-up to end the drought. Davison showed last year that he can be a title contender and Tander remains one of the most complete driver's in the category.
Against: There's not much to say here. There are no obvious weaknesses, which means there are no excuses not to win both titles. Holden has made it clear that anything less than winning won't be tolerated so the pressure is on.
Bottom line: Win or bust.

For: D'Alberto may still only be 24-years-old but he has been racing V8 Supercars since 2003. That means he's got plenty of experience of the cars and category. Now running his own team D'Alberto has secured a car built by Walkinshaw Performance (the same mob behind HRT). 
Against: Running your own team is a tough ask in V8 Supercars these days so the odds are stacked firmly against D'Alberto. He also needs to find outside sponsorship because Centaur and Bellmont are both family businesses.
Bottom line: Consistent improvement should be the goal.

For: Can the Stone Brothers rediscover title winning form or has the team been passed by? Since the departure of Marcos Ambrose the team has failed to find the same level of speed and consistency to match the pace-setters. Both Davison and van Gisbergen have showed flashes of promise but need to turn that into results. Slade joins the team in its third entry, effectively replacing Jason Bright, but will need time to find his feet after a difficult rookie season last year.
Against: It's hard to put a finger on exactly what's missing at SBR but the lack of a clear leader is probably one of the biggest. Neither Davison nor van Gisbergen has filled the hole left by Ambrose but both have the potential to.
Bottom line: Ford is demanding results so its time to deliver.

For: With Triple Eight now on the red side of the fence, FPR carries the hope of Ford and all its fans. The team has shown it has the pace and heads into the new season with the same FG Falcon package as last year. Winterbottom has already demonstrated in the past that he has the pace to match Whincup, Davison and Tander, so if the car is quick he'll be a title contender. Richards had a shocking 2009 by his usual standards but has the experience to bounce back.
Against: FPR's biggest problem in the past has been over-complicating things which manifests itself in inconsistent results. The addition of Dumbrell in a third satellite entry will bring with it more work too. Dumbrell will need to lift his game too after a couple lacklustre seasons at Walkinshaw Racing.
Bottom line: Winterbottom is Ford's great blue hope.

For: The Kelly brothers showed good pace in their maiden season as owner-drivers. The biggest challenge will be to improve their own performance as well as lifting the results of the team's other two entries. The addition of the experienced Bargwanna should help the outfit closer to the front.
Against: The success of Todd and Rick in the second half of last year has raised expectations for '10 so the pressure has increased. The jury is still out on Ricciardello. He's won plenty of Sports Sedan titles but that doesn't mean anything in V8 Supercars.
Bottom line: If anyone can make the owner-driver concept work it's the Kellys.

For: The Albury-based team is well placed to end its patchy run and become a regular fixture at the pointy end of the grid. Richards is starting his second season with the squad so he's well established at the team. Bright has spent a few seasons in the wilderness trying to run his own team but has a reputation as one of the savviest operators when it comes to setting up V8 Supercars.
Against: A move away from using Walkinshaw Racing built engines is a risk. Richards is extremely quick but hasn't been able to convert speed into results in the past. Bright will need to prove he hasn't been blunted by three years racing in the middle of the pack. Reindler will face all the usual rookie challenges so is unlikely to figure at the front of the field.
Bottom line: The ingredients are there so the results need to come.

For: An all-new driver line-up and increased sponsorship from Bundaberg indicate the intention is to return this former champion team (2006 and 2007 with Rick Kelly and Tander) to the front of the field. Coulthard emerged last year as a genuine front-runner and could become New Zealand's new hero this year. Thompson has had a patchy rise through the junior ranks but has shown enough flashes of brilliance to suggest he could be the real deal.
Against: Walkinshaw Racing boss Craig Wilson has made it clear that he expects results from both HRT and the Bundy Red Commodores. Stepping out of the shadow of the HRT duo will be a challenge for Coulthard and Thompson. The latter also faces the added challenge of tackling his rookie season having not raced fulltime last year.
Bottom line: Coulthard needs to win races. Thompson needs to show progress.

For: After entering last season after it had already begun 2009 was always going to be a learning year for this family outfit. A switch from a Holden to an ex-Triple Eight Ford Falcon should be an improvement.
Against: As more teams expand to three and four-car entities the single car outfits will face an even bigger challenge.
Bottom line: Low expectations means more opportunity to surprise.

For: Back in the Ford fold with technical and financial support should help the team continue its steady forward momentum from last season. Johnson has the consistency and Courtney has the speed to be a threat to the bigger players. Webb is the reigning Fujitsu Series champion so should be the best performed rookie.
Against: Johnson needs more speed and Courtney needs more consistency. While Ford is offering more support the team will continue to use Triple Eight built Falcons despite that team's switch to Holden.
Bottom line: The title is unlikely but wins are expected.

For: Lucas Dumbrell will make history as not only the youngest V8 team owner (20) but also the first quadriplegic. But don't underestimate him because he's managed to secure a supply of cars and equipment from Walkinshaw Racing and sponsorship from Gulf Western Oil.
Against: Gaunt is a promising young Kiwi but he's got limited V8 experience and will struggle against the established names. The team has only come together late last year so will take time gel as a unit.
Bottom line: Top 20 finishes will be a victory for this year.

For: Holdsworth has become one of the sports leading young talents in recent years and has the wins on the board to back up the hype. Caruso is also on the rise and broke through for his maiden win in 2009. More money from new sponsor Fujitsu and cars from Walkinshaw Racing means the team is running out of excuses not to be regular winners.
Against: Team owner Garry Rogers has made in clear in the past that he expects nothing less than the best from his team. At times though, the team doesn't seem able to match Triple Eight and HRT. It's been a long time since the team has fought for a title too.
Bottom line: No reason they shouldn't be winning.

For: There were three major coups for this team over the off-season. The Gold Coast squad has signed a deal to share cars and resources with Triple Eight, nabbed big-money sponsor Castrol and secured four-time Bathurst winner Greg Murphy. Ingall's strong performance last year showed that there is plenty of potential in both the team and its veteran drivers.
Against: Murphy is the biggest question mark in this equation. In the past he has unquestionably been one of the quickest drivers in the field as well as a title contender. But he hasn't looked like threatening for wins, let alone the title, in recent years at a variety of teams.
Bottom line: The cars should be good so it's up to the drivers to make the most of it.

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