…….And we’re back! It feels like forever since the crew has been at a race track, but this weekend the Holden Racing Team heads to Sydney Motorsport Park (SMP) for races 18 and 19 of the Supercars Championship.
While there has been quite a gap, five weeks in fact, between events the HRT workshop has been alive with activity and today the team would proudly like to introduce you to its newest creation – Chassis 23. Or otherwise known as the new Car #2.
Garth Tander couldn’t wait to get his hands on it this week and headed to Winton for a 20-lap shakedown. While the weather wasn’t kind (hey this is Victoria, it’s to be expected!), the rain didn’t dampen the day and it all ran smoothly.
James Courtney is looking forward to racing at SMP this weekend after missing the race last year when he was injured in a freak accident cause by a low flying helicopter. While that was definitely a stroke of bad luck, the Holden Racing Team has actually been very lucky at this circuit in the past.
HRT holds the record for the most number of wins (16) which is more than double any other team’s haul. The team also has been on pole position more times than anyone else (7) making them the most successful team in history at this track. In fact Peter Brock won his first ever ATCC/VASC race and round at SMP in 1994.
This is the final event before the start of the PIRTEK Enduro Cup season.
FROM THE DRIVER’S SEAT
Garth Tander, #2 Holden VF Commodore:
“The shakedown of the new chassis we well. It was pretty wet and we only got in three dry laps at the end of the day but it wasn’t really about lap times, it was about shaking all the bugs out of it before SMP. And there were no bugs, the car ran faultlessly straight out of the gate so the guys have done a great job and the car runs really nicely.”
“With the new car we expect that this will react to the set-up changes we make over the course of a race weekend a bit more consistent then the car we previously had. Given the weather at the shakedown there was no way of feeling any difference between the new car and the old car.”
“We’ve had a nice break between events but I haven’t had holidays, I’ve actually been away racing with Leanne. Then the rest of the time I spent getting stuff done around the house before we head now into a very busy period of racing.”
“This is the last race before the endurance campaign but we remain focussed on what’s at hand and getting the best result we can. We’ll then test again after SMP in preparation for Sandown and Luffy will spend a lot more time in the car then.”
James Courtney, #22 Holden VF Commodore:
“It will be nice to actually race at Sydney Motorsport Park this weekend as I didn’t get that opportunity last year after getting taken out by flying debris. I can guarantee I will not be watching any aerial displays this year and I am staying well away from any helicopters that’s for sure!”
“I had a good break and spent some time on holidays with my family, so I’m feeling recharged and relaxed heading into this weekend’s racing. This is the last event before the start of the endurance season, but I don’t do anything special at this event to prepare for the next."
"We are always focussed on trying to win races so that will be the goal this weekend. Jack, however will have some time in the car at our ride day on Monday which will help with his preparation for the endurance season.”
“A lot has been said in the press about the team in the last couple of weeks, it will be nice to put all that aside and just go out and race.”
