Xbox One Racing Team to debut at Bathurst

The Xbox One Racing Team VF Commodore will be prepared by Triple Eight Race Engineering, under the direction of Roland Dane, and driven at Mount Panorama by Andy Priaulx and Mattias Ekstrom. Overseeing the Xbox One team will be six-time Bathurst winner, Mark Skaife.

Priaulx has previous Bathurst experience, while this year's Bathurst campaign will be Ekstrom's first. Priaulx is a multiple World Touring Car Championship winner, and currently races in the German DTM series. Ekstrom is a two-time DTM champion, and has also competed in the World Rally Championship and NASCAR.

The Xbox-sponsored effort this October will also preview the release of Forza Motorsport 5 in November, exclusively on the Xbox console. The additional tie-in with the Bathurst campaign is that this fifth and latest version of the popular racing game created by Turn 10 Studios will feature the Mount Panorama track for the first time.

Regional Vice President, Microsoft, Greater Asia Region, Alan Bowman, said the addition of the Bathurst circuit was at the request of fans.

"Xbox has had a strong association with the sport of V8 Supercars over the last decade and for years Australians have been asking us to include the Bathurst track into the Forza Motorsport games.

"We have taken notice, and to celebrate the inclusion of the Bathurst track and two V8 Supercars in 'Forza Motorsport 5', we will launch a truly international and competitive racing team.

"This is unprecedented in Australia. After months of working in secret to create a piece of racing and gaming history, we are excited to finally reveal that the wildcard entrant and 29th car making its mark at Mount Panorama this year will be the stunning Xbox One car."

The Xbox One Racing Team car is the latest Holden VF Commodore, and will be the third car prepared and entered by Triple Eight Race Engineering.

Triple eight's Roland Dane said: "There is no surprise that we love a challenge. When we heard this unique proposition from Xbox to turn everyone's most-loved racing game into a reality on track, we knew it was too good an opportunity to pass up.

"Andy and Mattias are two of the best Touring Car racing drivers in the world today and I can promise Bathurst and V8 fans that this will be one team to watch come race day in October."


XBOX RACING VF Commodore - Stats

Vehicle: Holden Commodore VF
Chassis: V8SC Design, built by Triple Eight Engineering
Engine: KRE developed 5.0 Litre naturally aspirated V8 Holden 308 cast iron block and CNC aluminium heads
Power: Estimated 640 bhp - limited to maximum 7,500 RPM
Electronics: Motec supplied M800 Engine Management System as well as Power Distribution module, data recording, displays and Video Capture system
Transmission: Control Albins ST6 6 speed sequential Transaxle with integrated spool differential.
Axles: Control parts from Race Products
Clutch: Triple plate carbon 7 and ¼ inch
Suspension: Front
Triple Eight Race Engineered double wishbone suspension with adjustable damper and cockpit adjustable front anti-roll bar.
Rear
Independent Rear Suspension manufactured at Triple Eight with adjustable damper and cockpit adjustable anti-roll bar.
Brakes: Front
AP Racing 6 piston calliper, 395mm ventilated discs
Rear
AP Racing 4 piston calliper, 355mm ventilated discs
Shock Absorbers: Front and Rear Sachs developed dampers supplied by Triple Eight
Wheels: Control Rimstock 18" x 11" forged aluminium
Tyres: Dunlop 18" controlled tyre, Hard and Soft compound as well as wets
Steering: Control Collapsible Steering column from Woodward
Pedal Box: Triple Eight Race Engineering designed and built
Windscreen: Polycarbonate
Fuel System: Carbon Fuel Cell as Well as 75Lt Sprint tank and 120Lt Enduro Tank Supplied by Premier Fuel Systems
Weight: 1400kg (With Driver)
Top Speed: 298 kph
0-100km/h: 3.3 secs