It’s another sad day for Holden fans as the racing career of Australia’s own in the top flight ends in the same place the last locally made production model left the line five years ago.
Shane van Gisbergen will be targeting another dream farewell for Holden and the Commodore in Adelaide, which is apt as the location of the last locally produced car for the nameplate just north of the Parklands Street Circuit in Elizabeth.
From Humpy Holdens to the modern Car of The Future Gen2, Holden has provided opportunity, success and emotional moments.
Van Gisbergen has provided two of these emotional moments by winning the Repco Bathurst 1000 after General Motors confirmed the brand’s departure from the marketplace in 2020 before repeating the feat in October on the last appearance for the marque in the legendary main event.
Holden currently sits on 615 Australian Touring Car Championship/Supercars wins and its recent victory at Bathurst closed a chapter on the lion’s history in Australia’s great race.
From Peter Brock to Larry Perkins to Mark Skaife to Garth Tander to Jamie Whincup, all these legends starred for the Holden brand for more than 50 years contributing to 23 Australian Touring Car titles and 36 Bathurst wins.
Whincup is the winningest driver for Holden after taking 122 race wins, including four Bathurst 1000 victories and five of his seven titles achieved with the brand.
As for Commodore, it was welcomed under a new set of touring car regulations in 1980 as it went on to achieve title success in its maiden campaign. Some of the most iconic touring cars have been Commodores including the ‘Big Banger’ VK Commodore of 1984, the VL Commodore from the 1990 Bathurst 1000, the Castrol Commodore of Perkins and Gregg Hansford just three years later, ‘Golden Child’ from the early-2000s and of course Whincup’s beloved ‘Kate’ from his title winning run a decade ago.
Although it’s farewell to Holden and Commodore, the Repco Supercars Championship heralds in a new era next year with the entrance of Gen3 where the Chevrolet Camaro enters the fray throwing back to the glory days of the ATCC in the late-1960s, early-1970s.
Just remember the fond memories and joy Holden has provided for all those years.