HOLDEN DEVELOPS FUTURE STARS WITH LAUNCH OF HOLDEN KART TEAM

Saturday, 4 April 2015
HOLDEN DEVELOPS FUTURE STARS WITH LAUNCH OF HOLDEN KART TEAM

Holden has joined with star factory driver, V8 Supercars Champion James Courtney to develop the next generation of race drivers by announcing the formation of the Holden Kart Team (HKT).

Running under the guidance of Courtney, a two-time World Karting Champion, the HKT will support four karting protégés – Liam McLellan, Ryan Suhle, Jai Brown and Oscar Targett – in top karting events across the country this year.The team will exclusively use Courtney’s recently launched JC Kart range.

Courtney unveiled the HKT at the Todd Road kart circuit in Melbourne this morning, ahead of the weekend’s first round of the Australian Kart Championship (AKC).

GM Holden Sponsorship and Motorsport Manager, Simon McNamara said the HKT underlined Holden’s support of motorsport and grass roots sport.

“The launch of the Holden Kart Team provides the perfect synergy between our long-term support of motorsport and our commitment to grass roots sports through Holden’s Home Ground Advantage program,” McNamara said.

“We believe by supporting young drivers under James’ guidance in the HKT will assist in developing great talent for the future, and maybe future V8 Supercars Champions for Holden.”

Courtney said supporting and developing talent was vital for the future of motorsport.

“Supporting and developing junior talent is vital to the long-term future of all sports, and I am proud to be able to launch the Holden Kart Team,” Courtney said.

“Jim Morton played a massive role in developing my career as a kid in karting, and it’s important to me that I do the same and give something back – I know Jim would be proud.

“I’m stoked to partner with Holden and help these kids achieve their goals, and I look forward to being able to hand on some of my knowledge to Liam, Ryan, Jai and Oscar.”

Leading the HKT will be 2013 Australian KF3 Champion McLellan, who will compete in the international KF2 class throughout the five-round AKC.

Suhle will make the transition into Australia’s elite junior class (KF3) in the AKC while Brown focuses on the KA12 class for drivers aged between 10 and 12.

The youngest of the quartet, Targett, son of international karting icon Jon Targett, will represent the team through major events in Queensland in Cadet 9.

Also partnering with the HKT will be the South Pacific Marine Group.

“To have the guys at South Pacific Marine Group also jump on board to support the Holden Kart Team has blown my mind,” Courtney said.

“I know the whole team is super excited with all the support and keen to get on track today and bring home positive results straight away.”

-ENDS-

 

For further information please contact:
Gerald McDornan
Holden Motorsport Media Manager
Veracity Media and Communications
Mobile: +61 488 901 722
Email: gerald@veracitymedia.com.au

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

Holden Racing Team Launches Regular Season Livery on 25th Birthday

25th February 2015
Holden Racing Team Launches Regular Season Livery on 25th Birthday
Celebrations for the Holden Racing Team’s 25th anniversary are off to a roaring start, with the iconic team launching its regular season livery on its birthday at Holden’s retail facility at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide.The new-look HRT Commodore, unveiled today by the team’s champion drivers Garth Tander and James Courtney, features an aggressive-looking black and dayglo red livery incorporating sponsors Holden, SP Tools, Mobil, HSV, and Monster Energy.

The team, which won Adelaide’s Clipsal 500 event last year with Courtney taking victory, made its race debut 25 years ago to the day – at the opening round of the Australian Touring Car Championship, the event held at the now-defunct Amaroo Park Raceway in Sydney.

On Sunday 25 February 1990, then-team manager and driver Win Percy drove the Holden Racing Team’s lone entry at the event, the #16 HRT VL Commodore SS Group A SV, and finished 14th.

Since then, HRT has become one of Australia’s greatest sporting success stories with a record-200-plus race wins, including seven at the Bathurst 1000, and six championships – including a record-five straight from 1998 to 2002.

HRT also remains the only team to have won championship races in Australia, New Zealand, China, the UAE, and the Kingdom of Bahrain.

GM Holden Motorsport and Sponsorship Manager, Simon McNamara said HRT’s achievements across two and a half decades are a huge source of pride for Holden – with the relationship not only the longest in Australian motorsport, but also its most successful.

“The Holden Racing Team is an Aussie icon, and its history of sustained success is something that we can all be proud of – especially today, given it’s the team’s 25thbirthday,” McNamara said.

“2015 is going to be a great year for HRT, as we celebrate its silver anniversary – and may the success on-track continue all the way through to the final round in Sydney, and beyond.”

GM Holden Design Manager, Peter Hughes said the team’s regular season livery took its inspiration not only from the menacing black HRT Commodore that ran at the V8 SuperTest earlier this month, but also past masters.

“I think the new look is aggressive, and unmistakably HRT,” Hughes said.

“The red and black look with traditional white bonnet is a respectful nod to the original VE Commodore from 2007. The livery we ran at the V8 SuperTest was really a prelude to what we’ve revealed today, with far more black.”

The enduring partnership between Holden and its official factory racing team is complemented by major commitments from SP Tools; Mobil, who head into their 22nd year with HRT, and HSV, which has been on-board from the outset.

Additional long-term partnerships include NGK, entering its 21st year with HRT; John Hart, a partner for 15 years; MTAA Super, celebrating its eighth season with the team; and PPG Industries, which has been with HRT from day one (initially as Dulux).

New partners Monster Energy and Dell join them, while Morris Finance has an upgraded presence with the team.

As part of the milestone festivities, the HRT Commodore will feature a number of special one-off liveries throughout the season, including the traditional ANZAC livery that this year commemorates the 100th anniversary of Gallipoli.

The celebrations have also extended to the official team wear and merchandise – which has been transformed by TPF Sports, the global firm recently appointed as the Master Licensor for the Holden Family of Brands.

Holden Racing Team Managing Director, Adrian Burgess said the best possible way for the team to celebrate its 25th anniversary was by fighting at the front of the ultra-competitive V8 Supercars grid.

“V8 Supercars truly is the world’s most competitive touring car series, and over the past 25 years HRT has established itself as one of the sport’s leading lights,” Burgess said.

“The team has worked tirelessly over the off-season to ensure we start this very special season on the front foot, and we look forward to seeing Garth and James fighting tooth and nail for race wins – and celebrating in style.”

It’s a sentiment echoed by HRT’s drivers, Tander and Courtney.

“It’s a wonderful thing to be part of the Holden Racing Team on this occasion – and I feel proud as a driver,” Tander said.

“The #2 HRT Commodore was strong at the end of last year, so with the amount of work we’ve done throughout the off-season we should be in a good position to fight at the front from the outset.”

“I love the new-look, our HRT Commodore just looks so tough and menacing – which is as it should be,” Courtney said.

“We’re planning to start this season in style, with plenty to celebrate off-track, so I’m ready to get behind the wheel and give it my best.”

The HRT Commodores will be on track from Friday 27th February, with practice set to start at 9.05am ACDT.

V8 SUPERCARS CHAMPION JAMES COURTNEY LAUNCHES JC KARTS

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Friday, 16th January 2015

Holden V8 Supercars star, James Courtney is set to pass on the experience of his youth and support the next generation of racers by launching his own line of go-karts under the JC Kart banner.

Courtney is a two-time CIK-FIA World Karting Champion, having won the 1995 World Junior Karting Championship held at Braga in Portugal, and the Senior title in Salbris, France, just two years later. He remains the only Australian to have won a world karting title at any level.

The 2010 V8 Supercars Champion and factory Holden Racing Team driver has teamed with former mentor Jon Targett to bring the brand to market, with the first JC Kart to be unveiled next month.

Designed in conjunction with Courtney and Targett, and manufactured in Italy, JC Karts will offer a line of models covering the entire range of go-karting categories, from Cadet to the CIK-FIA classes.

“I cannot explain how excited and proud I am launching JC Karts,” Courtney said.

“Karting is the foundation for all motor racing – it is not only a fun and exciting sport, but is also where so many of today’s champions began their careers.

“I have many great memories of my time karting, and for the past few years have been kicking around the idea of how I could again become involved and give something back to it – and JC Karts is the result.”

Courtney said Targett’s involvement has been crucial in the launch of JC Karts.

Targett is considered one of the world’s best kart drivers and mentors, having raced and beaten former F1 stars Jarno Trulli, Giancarlo Fisichella, Jan Magnussen and Jos Verstappen, before guiding the likes of Courtney and former V8 driver David Besnard.

“When the idea of building my own brand was floated there was no one that I wanted more to be a part of JC Karts than Jon,” Courtney said.

“Not only was he a great driver in his own right, and an advisor to me in my early career, but Jon was also instrumental in the success of the Top Kart and Energy Corse brands.”

JT Motorsport will distribute JC Karts in Queensland, with Australian karting legends, Troy Hunt and James Sera appointed distributors in New South Wales and Victoria respectively.

For JC Kart enquiries, email info@jamescourtney.com.au or your local dealer.

Queensland New South Wales Victoria
JT Motorsport Troy Hunt James Sera’s Karting Centre
0438 646 655 0438 664 626 03 9551 8982

Social Media Links

https://www.facebook.com/pages/JC-Kart/1524075804540577?ref=hl

Twitter: @JC_Kart

Instagram jc_kart
– ENDS –

Courtney Podium and Tander Fifth

Pole Position Pukekohe Round 4, V8 Supercar Championship 2014

Pole Position Pukekohe Round 4, V8 Supercar Championship 2014

 

Saturday 26th April, 2014

The Holden Racing Team returned to the V8 Supercars Championship podium with James Courtney scoring a second place finish in the first of today’s 100km races at the ITM 500 Auckland at Pukekohe.
After gaining pole position during the first of the two qualifying sessions, Courtney made a good start to race 11 but was unable to hold onto the advantage into the first turn moving into second place and maintained his position for the remainder of the race.
On the other side of the garage, teammate Garth Tander registered the 11th best time of today’s first 10 minute all-in qualifying dash. Tander then raced hard to finish the #2 Commodore with ninth place honours.
Qualifying for race 12 of the ITM 500 Auckland saw a late red flag stop proceedings with one minute and 20 seconds remaining on the clock. At the front of the queue Tander left pit lane with a last ditch effort to record his quickest time for the session by immediately registering a strong fifth place, whilst Courtney retained the 11th position time he was in, prior to the broken session.
From that point, Tander managed to maintain his track position despite fending off late race challenges from Reynolds and was pleased with his Commodore’s overall performance. Courtney finished the day in race 12 in 12th position.
The 2014 V8 Supercars Championship continues this weekend in Barbagello.

Holden Racing Team

New website for JC

To keep up with technology and social media is a difficult task and James has always prided himself in having a fresh website that allows people who enjoy motorsport to see a different side, share information ask questions etc.

This is why over the last month we have worked with ProminentPosition.com.au to achieve this.

James has taken some feedback from fans and sponsors and given his website a ‘facelift’.

The updated jamescourtney.com.au site allows you to enjoy all the information, images and interact with both James and the Holden racing team. You can do this by simply viewing the videos , reading the articles or asking James or Engineering team questions.

To celebrate the Clipsal success below is a YouTube clip with James delivering the trophy to HRT headquarters.

From James and myself we thank you for your support the last few years and we hope you enjoy the new look site and the 2014 V8 Supercars championship looks to be an exciting season ahead with competitive cars, new sponsors and exciting events to be part of.

Keep cheering!!

Best wishes for you and yours,

Carys Courtney

JCS RACE WRAP – PHILLIP ISLAND

Thanks to all the V8 Supercar fans who have sent me messages of support on social media and elsewhere since my big crash at Phillip Island on Saturday. This is something my family and I appreciate very much. I’ve had an MRI scan this week which showed I have a fractured tibia and a tear in the quad muscle in my right leg. Unfortunately I will be on crutches for a few weeks and will miss the final championship round in Sydney (December 6-8). Nick Percat will drive for the Holden Racing Team at Homebush. It’s disappointing to miss Sydney, but in reality the outcome of this crash could have been much worse because it was one of the biggest shunts of my career. When Alex Premat’s Commodore smashed into the driver’s door of my car, the impact bent and pushed everything inwards toward me. My right leg was squashed in by the tangled metal. Once I was pulled out of the car my leg was sore and I was limping. A crucial reason why I was able to avoid more serious injuries is the improved safety features of the ‘Car of the Future’ vehicles we are racing this year. The driver’s seat in my HRT Commodore, and in all the 2013-spec cars, is closer to the middle of the cockpit compared to our previous machines. If that accident had happened 12 months ago I would have been seated closer to the door and my injuries could have been far greater. Earlier this year Scott Pye walked away unscathed from a big crash at Symmons Plains in Tasmania, so it’s great to see the various safety improvements to the new cars are working. My crash at Phillip Island happened after Alex went off the track through a gravel trap on lap 11 of the first of the three races. His car then slid across the grass and back onto the track and hit my HRT Commodore as I was driving past. I didn’t see anything. There was no warning. After our cars stopped, Alex pulled me out of my car through the passenger door. When we were in the medical vehicle he said a tyre went down on his car and that’s why he initially went off the track. It was one of those racing accidents that unfortunately happen from time to time. As a driver, you have to accept it as part of what we do. I had an examination in the Medical Centre after the crash, and travelled home to the Gold Coast on Saturday night. I was sore, but it wasn’t until I had the MRI scan that I found out what my injuries were. I scored no championship points at Phillip Island, as was the case in the previous two rounds at Bathurst and the Gold Coast, but remain in ninth in the series. My team-mate Garth Tander provided some good news for HRT in the 13th and penultimate championship round by winning the first race. We had a month-long break between the Gold Coast and Phillip Island rounds. During the break I travelled to Newcastle and helped McDonald Jones Homes raise $100,000 for Maitland Hospital, and also visited Adelaide for the launch of the 2014 Clipsal 500. Keith Urban will perform at next year’s Clipsal 500, and before the launch I was involved in filming a video in the HRT workshop. I had to put on a cowboy hat and ‘mime’ one of Keith’s country tunes. For those who want to know what I’m doing between races, and at our events, you can follow me on Twitter at: twitter.com/jcourtney 1 Autograph 3courtneysignature JC PHILLIP ISLAND RESULTS – JAMES COURTNEY ROUND 13, V8 Supercar Championship, (November 22-24) Qualifying – Race 1:15th Race 1 Result (28 laps): did not finish Qualifying – Race 2: did not start Race 2 Result (23 laps): did not start Qualifying – Race 3: did not start Race 3 Result (23 laps): did not start CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS (after round 13): Jamie Whincup (Holden) 2,815; Craig Lowndes (Holden) 2,795; Mark Winterbottom (Ford) 2,691; Will Davison (Ford) 2,592; Fabian Coulthard (Holden) 2,393; Garth Tander (Holden) 2,259; Shane Van Gisbergen (Holden) 2,254; Jason Bright (Holden) 2,123; James Courtney (Holden) 1,909; Scott McLaughlin (Holden) 1,866

JCS SUPPORTS BRAVEHEARTS

V8 Supercars Champion James Courtney is racing to protect Australian children and raise awareness of the nation’s leading child advocacy agency, Bravehearts at this weekend’s ArmorAll Gold Coast 600.

The Holden Racing Team driver will sport a brave new custom helmet design this weekend, which features a mix of Courtney’s traditional fluro green and yellow mixed with Braveheart’s purple and white colours and highlighted by its signature White Balloon logo.

A father of two – his daughter Zara (5), and son Cadel (3) – Courtney has been a Bravehearts ambassador for several years and says it provides valuable services for the community.

“As a father of two young kids, I am extremely passionate about child protection – it’s close to my heart and Bravehearts is an organisation I am proud to support,” Courtney said.

“The organisation has been at the forefront of raising awareness of child sexual abuse for almost two decades, and has a dedicated team of people who are passionate about making a difference.

“Bravehearts provides much-needed services such as victim counselling, education in schools and assisting with protection and prevention strategies.

“My helmet is a vital part of equipment keeping me safe in my race car and Bravehearts is a vital organisation keeping our children safe in the community.

“If changing my helmet this weekend helps raise awareness about Bravehearts and the great work it does in the community then I’m proud to wear this new design.”

The stunning Bravehearts scheme took 50 hours to complete, undergoing a unique and specialised method of painting by Ant of Antman Helmet Design, who is based at Yatala, near the Gold Coast.

“This is the 12th helmet I’ve completed for JC; it’s the most colourful I’ve done, we’ve gone as bright as we could, and it’s the one I’m most proud of yet – it feels great we’ve been able to combine to do something for the kids,” Ant said.

Founded in 1997, Bravehearts aims to empower, educate and protect by providing healing and support, engendering child sexual assault prevention and protection strategies; advocating for understanding and promoting increased education and research.

It provides educational resources for children, parents and teachers, advocacy for victims of child sexual abuse, and court support for victims required to appear as witnesses in criminal cases.

The association has also been involved in child protection research and has made numerous submissions to Federal and State Government inquiries and reviews.

Bravehearts is a registered charity and employs more than 50 staff across nine offices in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.

The Bravehearts White Balloon Day is held each year during Child Protection Week, raising awareness of child sexual abuse and valuable funding for the organisation.

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