Revealed: HRT's bold new look
28/1/2000 12:28 (Jason Whittaker) - If what they say is true, and red really does go faster, then the Holden Racing Team's opposition are set for even more trauma, this year. The Factory Holden Team took the covers off its new-look, VT Commodores yesterday, revealing for the first time the team's bold, new-millennium look.
I see red, I see red, I see red. Skaife hops to resolve
some split ends this year in the #2 Commodore - Pics: HRT.
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The striking, predominantly red, racier Holden colours were seen on display yesterday, as the team launched it's campaign for a third successive Shell Series crown.
In celebration of Holden's four-decade involvement in Australian Motorsport, the new livery displays a greater representation of the Australian manufacturer, on the team's two racing machines.
HRT's John Crennan spoke of the team's new look at the Melbourne launch yesterday, and highlighted Holden's increased presence within the racing operation, this year
"The key ingredients in winning three of the past four Touring Car/Shell Championship titles, have been HRT's staff, drivers and the business approach to motor racing," Crennan said.
"It's very satisfying to know that the Holden Racing Team has retained its staff, we have drivers of the calibre of Craig Lowndes and Mark Skaife defending the Championship, and believe that we now have made further advances in our commercial and technical activities."
"I am very proud that Holden has elected to intensify its involvement with the Factory racing team for the year 2000, reflecting it's number 1 position in the market place, and HRT's on and off-track results of the past four years."
"It's timely too, as we move forward in an expanding category of motor sport which not only sees us competing in the Nation's capital Canberra this year, but also off-shore in the next year or so." Crennan concluded.
Holden's Executive Director of Sales and Marketing, Ross McKenzie, echoed Crennan's thoughts, and spoke of the timeliness of the manufacture's stronger links with the racing team.
"Number 1 both in the new car sales area and on the race track emphasises Holden's position in Australia and much of the Company's current showroom success can be attributed to our motor sport heritage," he said.
"Motor racing has been fundamental to the brand attributes of Holden for over 30 years. Even more so when you consider we are the only manufacturer to have had a continual involvement in the sport during that period."
"Our nineteen Bathurst victories have enhanced the integrity of our products over this timeframe, particularly with Commodore, the best-selling car in Australia for the fourth consecutive year," McKenzie said.
In a change from the operation's traditional, predominantly white, livery, the new design sees both cars in a bold, red strip, encompassing the famous Holden lion emblem, with the red, white and blue stripes the team has become known for. This year's Holden Young Lion entry will carry the same livery.
Long-time sponsor, Mobil Australia, is again a feature in the team's new war paint, with the oil giant announcing they will continue their support for the Factory outfit, for another three years.
The Factory Holden operation also revealed a more streamlined technical and engineering program to be put in place this year, which will see more construction and preparation work completed in-house.
"With the busy race schedule we now have to deal with as the V8 Supercar category grows, to remain successful requires race teams to become more efficient." Team Manger Jeff Grech explained.
"To do this we have entered into an arrangement with John Hart Technology for the supply of a Mazac CNC milling machine which will allow HRT to source most of its engineering requirements in-house."
"Also our partnership with PPG has seen the installation of a dedicated paint booth, which further assists in a faster turnaround of panels and paint work, as well as a critical cost saving," said Grech.
The new-look Commodore's will hit the track later this month for testing and development work, before the 2000 Shell Championship Series kicks-off at Victoria's Phillip Island Raceway on February 14.
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