Holden and the Holden Racing Team pay tribute to the ANZAC spirit

Sunday 22nd March 2015
Holden and the Holden Racing Team pay tribute to the ANZAC spirit
Holden will commemorate next month’s centenary of the Gallipoli landings with its factory Holden Racing Team paying its annual tribute to the ANZAC spirit with a one-off livery in Tasmania next weekend.V8 Supercars Champions, Garth Tander and James Courtney’s HRT Commodores will carry the commemorative ANZAC design at the Tyrepower Tasmania SuperSprint, at Symmons Plains Raceway, on 27-29 March.

Now in its third year, HRT’s tribute is approved and supported by the Returned & Services League, with the initiative raising awareness and funds for the RSL’s annual ANZAC Appeal.

The 2015 version sees Holden’s famous HRT lion and driver logo again replaced by the RSL’s ANZAC Appeal Rising Sun logo, with a silhouette of ANZAC diggers from the original Gallipoli landing featuring on each side of the car and bonnet.

The ANZAC Appeal logo also features on the boot lid, with “ANZAC Centenary, April 25, 2015” featuring above the front windscreen and on the rear wing.

GM Holden Motorsport and Sponsorship Manager Simon McNamara said Holden was proud to donate its space on the HRT Commodores to acknowledge those who have served our country.

“The Holden Racing Team’s annual ANZAC tribute has become a very special part of Holden’s motorsport activities and in this, the 100th year since the Gallipoli landings, it makes us even more proud,” McNamara said.

“As a company, Holden is privileged to be able to continue supporting the ANZAC tradition, honouring those that have served and paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country, while also helping raise awareness to the valuable work of the RSL.”

The RSL’s Victorian Branch Appeals Manager, Peter Smith OAM, said the organisation was delighted with Holden and HRT’s ongoing commitment to remembering the service and sacrifice of the Australian Defence Force.

“The ANZAC appeal logo on the car is great, and the silhouette of the solders is just so powerful. The cars look fantastic and it’s a testament to Holden’s support. It makes us very proud,” Mr Smith said.

“We’re raising money for veterans welfare – old veterans, young veterans, and their families when they most need help. This support and helping get our message out to Australians is very important to us.

Tander said he is passionate about ANZAC Day and the RSL’s appeal because of family ties.

“ANZAC Day is a very special day in my family because grandfather served overseas in the Army, so when you say ‘ANZAC’, the first thing I think about is respect,” Tander said.

“The ANZAC spirit epitomises what Australia is all about; going out of your way for a mate, doing the hard work, and doing it properly, and working together – and now as a parent I’m making sure my kids hear the full ANZAC story and what it means.

“To me, it’s special to be able to carry the ANZAC Rising Sun, and even more so this year with the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings.”

Courtney agreed, saying the ANZAC tribute is a memorable part of HRT’s year.

“The ANZACs fought for our freedom and made Australia what it is today, and their spirit and courage in battle is something we can never thank them enough for,” Courtney said.

“To have the original ANZACs shadowed across my car is a strong image that really brings home the impact of what diggers went through, and it’s great of Holden to give up its space for the appeal.

“It’s a special time of year and something I really look forward to representing with pride.”

The Holden Racing Team encourages everyone to support the ANZAC Appeal by purchasing an ANZAC Appeal badge and wearing it with pride, or by donating online at www.anzacappeal.com.au.

Holden Racing Team Win Clipsal 500

1st March 2015
Holden Racing Team Win Clipsal 500
It was a dream ending for the Holden Racing Team on the final day of competition at the Clipsal 500 with James Courtney winning today’s 250km race and Garth Tander joining him on the podium in 3rd.Both the #2 and #22 Holden Commodores qualified for the Top Ten Shootout and it was Courtney who was victorious in claiming his first pole position of the year, his second pole position at this event.

Tander set the 9th fastest time in the shootout but was later advanced two places on the grid to 7th after a timing error was discovered.

Green lights for Race 3 and Courtney was quick off the mark holding his position while Tander jumped two places to 5th.  The two Holden Racing Team drivers were on different race strategies to each other, and to the rest of the field, which made it difficult to predict where the positions would fall in the later part of the race.  After their third and final pit stops Courtney and Tander were effectively in positions 1 and 2, with just three cars in front still to stop.

Van Gisbergen wanted in on the action after his final stop and with the advantage of four new tyres he was on the hunt for the HRT team mates.  He managed to pass Tander and with Courtney now firmly in his sights, began his assault for the win.  Tander stayed in touch with the race leaders and held 3rd place until the finish line.

For 20 longs laps van Gisbergen was relentless in trying to overtake Courtney.  Lap 60 was intense as the two came together pushing Courtney wide.  But the 2010 Championship winner would not back down and regained the lead which is where he stayed until he past chequered flag.

James Courtney now stands at the top of the leader board in the V8 Supercars Championship and Garth Tander is currently 3rd.

Adrian Burgess, Managing Director:
“The weekend has been fantastic.  You make all these plans before the start of the year and you all go to the track thinking you’re going to be on the pace and going to win it.  But to get both cars on the podium today and for James to win the race is tremendous.”

“It’s a great reward for all the guys who have been working hard for the last 14 months, but its early days yet.  The drivers did a great top in qualifying, James did a fantastic lap in the shootout and they both had an incredible drive under pressure.”

Click the below link to see what the driver had to say about today’s win and podium finish:
http://youtu.be/PZ6vDswo0hM