Holden Racing Team Livery Launched at Mount Panorama

The Holden Racing Team today unveiled a stunning, all-new look for 2014 at the famed Mount Panorama circuit. 

Champion drivers Garth Tander and James Courtney ended months of speculation on the new livery when they lifted the covers off the Holden VF Commodore race car in pit lane at Bathurst early this morning. 

The striking new dayglo scheme, created by Peter Hughes of Holden Design, features a number of significant changes and an increased presence from the team’s major partners, SP Tools and Mobil 1.

The design features a new position for the famous HRT lion and driver logo, which moves forward onto the front doors.

The logo integrates with prominent corporate branding from SP Tools, which announced its increased support of the team last October. The distinctive SP Tools signage spans the rear passenger doors and rear quarter-panels, with its logo also featuring on the front splitter. 

Celebrating its 20th anniversary with HRT, Mobil 1 continues its illustrious association, with increased branding on the entire bonnet and rear bumper. 

“We’re proud to be launching the Holden Racing Team’s 2014 challengers at Bathurst, the scene of HRT’s seven famous victories in Australia’s Great Race,” HRT managing director Adrian Burgess said.

“It’s an exciting new look for the cars. Matching our ambitious livery and increased presence from our major partners, the goal for HRT is to challenge for race wins and podiums on a consistent basis.

“This is Holden’s 45th season of official factory involvement in Australian motorsport and our intention is to give them reasons for celebration.”

Holden Design’s Hughes said the bold, eye-catching livery was just the way he wanted to present Holden’s official factory racing team cars.

“I saw it as an opportunity to really change things up and I am thankful to the team’s partners who gave me the freedom and flexibility to execute a livery with plenty of visual impact,” Hughes said.

“We have moved the famous HRT logo to the front door and let the SP Tools branding integrate behind it, flowing down into the rear quarters, while the Mobil 1 signage on the bonnet is a standout feature of the design and works with HRT’s style.

“We've brought back the dayglo red to liven up the appearance, and it really harmonises with the contemporary feel. 

“You won’t miss HRT at the track this year.”

Tander and Courtney complimented Hughes and Holden Design on the striking appearance of their 2014 vehicles.

“As always, Holden Design has created a colour scheme which professionally represents HRT’s proud sponsors, but also stands out on the track,” Tander said.

Courtney added: “Peter came up with a very attractive design for our first VF Commodore last year, and once again he’s produced something spectacular." 

In addition to HRT's all-new look, the team’s technical expertise has been bolstered by a number of key appointments including Bathurst and Championship-winning engineer Mat 'Techo' Nilsson, who rejoins as technical director.

Tander said the personnel changes are a positive for both he and Courtney.

“I’m excited about the changes; with the new personnel we have on board there’s a real buzz around the HRT workshop right now,” said three-time Bathurst winner Tander, who also tasted success at last year’s Townsville and Phillip Island events.

“We’re working hard to make sure that our car is capable of beating everyone week-in, week-out.”

Courtney is equally motivated to start the season strongly in Adelaide.

“We’re going there to be quickest. We’d be lying if we said we were trying to do anything else,” said Courtney, who won last year at Winton.

“Winning races and championships is why we’re in the game.”

HRT also confirmed Greg Murphy and Warren Luff in its line-up for the three-event PIRTEK Enduro Cup – the Wilson Security Sandown 500, Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 and ARMOR ALL Gold Coast 600.

Murphy is a four-time winner of the Bathurst 1000 and two-time championship runner-up, while Luff is a former Sandown 500 winner and reigning PIRTEK Enduro Cup Champion having taken the inaugural title with Craig Lowndes last October.

The new-look HRT Commodores will take to the track at the sydney.com V8 Test Day at Sydney Motorsport Park this Saturday, February 15, which is free for fans to attend.