HRDHSV
01-28-2009, 11:45 AM
28.01.2009
Rising V8 Supercar talent Will Davison will join the Toll Holden Racing Team (HRT) for the 2009 season.
Davison will team with 2007 series champion Garth Tander at the factory Holden squad to fill the seat vacated by retired great Mark Skaife.
Davison, 26, arrives at HRT following three seasons at **** Johnson Racing where he claimed a round victory – last year at Eastern Creek – and a Bathurst podium finish in 2007.
A former open-wheel star that test drove Formula One, Davison began his V8 Supercar career in 2004 driving a Holden.
The grandson of Australian Grand Prix legend, Lex Davison, said he was delighted to claim the most coveted seat in V8 Supercar racing.
“It’s a wonderful honour to drive for the Holden Racing Team, the absolute highlight of my career to date,” Davison said.
“HRT is the elite motorsport outfit in Australia and the team every young driver wants to join.
“It is renowned for its professionalism and has a proud track record of success.
“I can’t wait to be a part of that.”
Tander is also hungry for success, determined to regain the title he won in 2007.
“I began my preparation for the season immediately after the final round of 2008 at Oran Park,” Tander said.
“I’ve kept my fitness up since then, I didn’t take any time off over the break and I’m working through a solid pre-season.
“Having Will on board this year and being able to push each other to success will be great for our team.
“He’s on the verge of some real success in this category, so that’s going to be good for the team, good for Holden and all our sponsors.”
Davison and Tander will pilot identical VE Commodores featuring the striking day-glo red and white elements of last season’s livery, with added black and grey accents to create a fresh new look.
Team owner of the Toll Holden Racing Team, Tom Walkinshaw, promised HRT fans the team had a renewed focus on delivering results on the track in 2009.
“We’re determined to return HRT to racing success and today’s announcements confirm our intentions.”
Walkinshaw Racing CEO Craig Wilson said Davison’s signing meant Toll HRT had an experienced, recognisable duo heading up the factory team.
“Will and Garth Tander are not only talented drivers, but also terrific young men who will push each other to greater heights throughout the V8 Supercar season,” he said.
“I know both of them can’t wait to get behind the wheel of their VE Commodores for the first race in Adelaide in just six weeks time.”
HRT’s trademark “helmet and lion” graphic returns to the cars’ flanks this year.
The HRT Commodores will also carry EcoLine branding on the roof and rear diffuser, signalling GM Holden’s new range of vehicles that use alternative fuels or fuel-saving technology.
The signage reinforces the category’s move to an environmentally friendlier E85 ethanol-blended fuel this season.
GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director Mark Reuss said Holden’s tradition of taking knowledge from its motorsport program for the development of its road cars will become even more important in 2009.
“Over the years our involvement in motorsport has meant more to the development of the Holden brand than simply race wins and championships,” he said.
“It’s been central to our research and development efforts to provide the best possible road-going vehicles for Australian drivers.
“What we learn on the track helps guide our production car development.
“That will become more important than ever in 2009 when V8 Supercars move to running on E85 ethanol fuel.
“The knowledge gained by HRT from using E85 will be important as we take a leadership position on ethanol and become the first local manufacturer to make its road cars capable of running on the fuel.”
International freight and logistics company Toll continues with its naming rights sponsorship of HRT, and are again joined by Mobil which, with a new three year contract, extends its tenure with the team to 18 years.
Holden Special Vehicles will have a significant presence on the side of the HRT Commodores, with the team also welcoming Delphi and NEC as new sponsors.
Rising V8 Supercar talent Will Davison will join the Toll Holden Racing Team (HRT) for the 2009 season.
Davison will team with 2007 series champion Garth Tander at the factory Holden squad to fill the seat vacated by retired great Mark Skaife.
Davison, 26, arrives at HRT following three seasons at **** Johnson Racing where he claimed a round victory – last year at Eastern Creek – and a Bathurst podium finish in 2007.
A former open-wheel star that test drove Formula One, Davison began his V8 Supercar career in 2004 driving a Holden.
The grandson of Australian Grand Prix legend, Lex Davison, said he was delighted to claim the most coveted seat in V8 Supercar racing.
“It’s a wonderful honour to drive for the Holden Racing Team, the absolute highlight of my career to date,” Davison said.
“HRT is the elite motorsport outfit in Australia and the team every young driver wants to join.
“It is renowned for its professionalism and has a proud track record of success.
“I can’t wait to be a part of that.”
Tander is also hungry for success, determined to regain the title he won in 2007.
“I began my preparation for the season immediately after the final round of 2008 at Oran Park,” Tander said.
“I’ve kept my fitness up since then, I didn’t take any time off over the break and I’m working through a solid pre-season.
“Having Will on board this year and being able to push each other to success will be great for our team.
“He’s on the verge of some real success in this category, so that’s going to be good for the team, good for Holden and all our sponsors.”
Davison and Tander will pilot identical VE Commodores featuring the striking day-glo red and white elements of last season’s livery, with added black and grey accents to create a fresh new look.
Team owner of the Toll Holden Racing Team, Tom Walkinshaw, promised HRT fans the team had a renewed focus on delivering results on the track in 2009.
“We’re determined to return HRT to racing success and today’s announcements confirm our intentions.”
Walkinshaw Racing CEO Craig Wilson said Davison’s signing meant Toll HRT had an experienced, recognisable duo heading up the factory team.
“Will and Garth Tander are not only talented drivers, but also terrific young men who will push each other to greater heights throughout the V8 Supercar season,” he said.
“I know both of them can’t wait to get behind the wheel of their VE Commodores for the first race in Adelaide in just six weeks time.”
HRT’s trademark “helmet and lion” graphic returns to the cars’ flanks this year.
The HRT Commodores will also carry EcoLine branding on the roof and rear diffuser, signalling GM Holden’s new range of vehicles that use alternative fuels or fuel-saving technology.
The signage reinforces the category’s move to an environmentally friendlier E85 ethanol-blended fuel this season.
GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director Mark Reuss said Holden’s tradition of taking knowledge from its motorsport program for the development of its road cars will become even more important in 2009.
“Over the years our involvement in motorsport has meant more to the development of the Holden brand than simply race wins and championships,” he said.
“It’s been central to our research and development efforts to provide the best possible road-going vehicles for Australian drivers.
“What we learn on the track helps guide our production car development.
“That will become more important than ever in 2009 when V8 Supercars move to running on E85 ethanol fuel.
“The knowledge gained by HRT from using E85 will be important as we take a leadership position on ethanol and become the first local manufacturer to make its road cars capable of running on the fuel.”
International freight and logistics company Toll continues with its naming rights sponsorship of HRT, and are again joined by Mobil which, with a new three year contract, extends its tenure with the team to 18 years.
Holden Special Vehicles will have a significant presence on the side of the HRT Commodores, with the team also welcoming Delphi and NEC as new sponsors.