The second safety car, which was called on lap 54, was a pivotal point in the race.  Both HRT cars pitted which meant Courtney was forced to double stack behind team mate Tander.  The two cars would again need to pit before the end of the race for fuel.

Alistair McVean, Head Engineer for Car #22 made a call that, if successful, would ultimately see Courtney and Perkins win the race.  He opted to pit for a second time while still under the safety car for a quick top of fuel.  If Courtney could conserve fuel and no other safety cars were called, they would be in a position to win the race as other cars ahead would have to stop.  The strategy couldn’t have been better scripted with Car #2 taking chequered flag honours.

Blake Smith, Head Engineer for Car #2 chose a different option and waited as long as possible before stopping for fuel. Tander stayed out, kept his head down and used the clear air to pull a gap that would ultimately see him emerge from his final stop in front of his main rivals.  It too paid off and Car #2 crossed the finish line in 3rd, and in doing so also secured the PIRTEK Enduro Cup.

The next V8 Supercars event is at Pukekohe Raceway, Auckland, New Zealand in just two weeks’ time.

The medical team overseeing the 2010 V8 Supercar Champion’s recovery made the final decision on his fate late last night.

“James suffered serious injuries in August’s incident, with the architecture concerning his rib and lung area severely damaged. While there has been significant betterment in the healing, and his pain has been abated and controlled, James has not been cleared to race this weekend. We have made this decision in the interests of James’ health and recovery,” a medical spokesperson said.

As at Sandown, two-time Bathurst winner turned FOX SPORTS motorsport expert, Russell Ingall will again fill in for Courtney, sharing the #22 Holden Racing Team Star Wars: The Force Awakens light side Commodore. The pair finished ninth in last month’s Sandown 500.

– ENDS –

Race 20 kicked off in true V8 Supercars style and there was push and shove from the get go.  Tander was quick to bolt from the starting grid and gain positions, and by lap two had settled nicely in to 9^th.  Courtney too muscled his way through to the pack up to 12^th during the opening laps.

On lap 13 Courtney was the first of the HRT cars to pit for hard tyres and fuel, Tander was in for his stop just one lap later.  After all the field had completed their first stop Tander and Courtney were both positioned well inside the top 10 in 5^th and 8^th respectively.  In the second stint Tander was hunting down Reynolds but despite his pace we was unable to get past.

Courtney was again first to come in for his second stop to swap back to soft tyres and fill with fuel, Tander followed suit.  Courtney was able to jump two places during his stop.  It was then a long 36 lap stint to the chequered flag, and it was down to managing the soft tyre until the end.

The V8 Supercars Championship next heads to Sydney Motorsport Park, 21-23 August.  Courtney and Tander’s positions in the V8 Supercar Championship Series remain unchanged in 5^th and 7^th.

Garth Tander, #2 Holden Commodore VF 

“Tough weekend, we really struggled to get a balance on the car and even this morning we really didn’t have the qualifying pace we needed which has been a bit of a common trend unfortunately during the last couple of events.”

“Again race pace was reasonably strong and made up a few places off the start. The guys did a great job with our strategy and our pit stops and we went from 14^th to 5^th.”

“So again another top five but we’ll be going away and concentrating on our qualifying speed and making sure we are starting a little bit closer to the front.”

Qualifying for Race 20: 15th
Race 20 Result: 5th
Fastest Lap Time: 1:11.0491

James Courtney, #22 Holden Commodore VF 

“It’s a little bit frustrating because we need to get out qualifying sorted, there is no point having good race pace if we are starting that far back all the time.”

“In the race the cars was good and the strategy was good as well.  During the first pit stop I didn’t quite launch well enough and at the end of the race I got a cramp in my calf and went off.  The car speed was good in the race and we were able to manage it well.”

Qualifying for Race 20: 15th
Race 20 Result: 6th
Fastest Lap Time: 1:11.0209

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 100^th 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 100^th 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.