HRT Drivers Split Over Origin
HoldenRacing Team’s Garth Tander and James Courtney have sensationally split theirallegiances ahead of this weekend’s Sucrogen Townsville 400.
Theinter-garage turmoil has been spurred by Holden’s partnership with the NationalRugby League and naming rights sponsorship of the annual State Of Origin.
Tanderand Courtney’s HRT VF Commodores will carry the official Holden State Of Originlogo on their bonnets for this weekend’s seventh round of the V8 SupercarsChampionship.
TheOrigin logo on Tander’s #2 Holden will be featured against a Queensland Maroonbackground, while Courtney’s #22 Commodore will backed by New South Wales Blue– the difference in colours creating a new rivalry within the HRT garage.
Followinglast week’s 26-6 win by the Maroons at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, the Originseries is tied at one win apiece.
“Thisis every kid’s dream, competing in the Origin colours of their home state, Ilove it and can’t wait to get out there wearing NSW Blue,” Courtney said.
“I’mpassionate about my Sydney ‘Westie’ heritage and I’m a huge Origin fan – theplan is to avenge our defeat in Origin II last week by getting the Blues HRTCommodore out front and keeping it there.”
Tandersaid he was happy to become an honorary Queenslander for the weekend.
“Imight be from Western Australia but I’m a big fan of League and the MelbourneStorm. The Storm’s Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk are thebackbone of the Queensland side so this weekend I’ll proudly wear QLD Maroon intheir honour,” Tander said.
“Goingby the reception for the Blues last week [in Origin II at Suncorp Stadium]James is heading into enemy territory.
“Thefirst goal in motorsport has always been to beat your teammate and that’s neverbeen truer than this weekend.
“Hehad a good run in Darwin, but if we can turn the tables then I’m lookingforward to seeing James’ face when the ‘Queenslander’ chant goes up!”
Courtneyscored HRT’s first pole of the season in Darwin, also earning two podiums– second and third place finishes – while Tander was among the top fiveall weekend.
Tandercurrently lies eighth in the V8 Supercars standings, with Courtney 59 points behind in ninth.
Courtneywas the Townsville event’s inaugural winner in 2009, winning Sunday's race; while Tander has also scored a pole, anumber of podiums and race win on the Reid Park street circuit.
Practicefor the Sucrogen Townsville 400 commences this Friday, with 200km races onSaturday and Sunday and refuelling required in each race.
Teamshave been allocated 12 hard and eight soft Dunlop tyres for the event with bothcompounds of tyres having to be run in each race.
Refuellingwill be required in each race with teams also using both the hard and soft tyrecompounds for the event.
Thethird and deciding Holden State Of Origin match will be held at ANZ Stadium inSydney on Wednesday July 17.
