It’s safe to say the Holden Racing Team endured a disastrous 1995 Bathurst 1000, but this spurred on the squad to dominate in 1996.
Engine problems ruled both HRT entries out within the opening hour of the 1995 Bathurst 1000, first afflicting the pole-winning Craig Lowndes/Greg Murphy VR Commodore, then teammates Peter Brock and Tomas Mezera.
It proved a blow for the team after it elevated Brock back into a title contender during the 1995 season and was about to welcome rising star Lowndes as his teammate for 1996.
Lowndes’ star rose after nearly snatching victory at Bathurst in 1994 after a stirring Brad Jones double-stint to rise through the field. This was backed up when the young star scored pole position for the 1995 Bathurst 1000 after setting a 2m 11.554s to achieve the fastest V8 lap at the time and become the youngest driver to top the Shootout.
The Shootout provided mixed feelings for HRT after Brock crashed out on his hot lap at The Cutting necessitating plenty of work to return to VR Commodore to the track.
Of course, Sunday failed to improve those feelings…
Entering 1996, those feelings were of confidence and belief after a dominant maiden championship assault by Lowndes.
The young star took all before him to win the ATCC on his first try and entered Bathurst high on confidence after taking out the Sandown 500 with returning co-driver Murphy.
Armed with more experience, Lowndes was second to Glenn Seton in the Shootout, but mastered the wet conditions alongside Murphy to take his first Bathurst victory.
Leading 129 of the 161 laps, the duo completed an endurance race double and Lowndes replicated mentor Brock’s treble of the ATCC crown, Sandown victory and success at Bathurst.
Arguably, the 1996 season kicked off an era of dominance for HRT and launched Murphy’s career as he took over Lowndes’ full-time role in the squad when the reigning champion contested the European Formula 3000 Championship in 1997.
Lowndes came back in 1998 to secure back-to-back titles and made the controversial move to Ford in 2001.
HRT continued its era of dominance courtesy of Mark Skaife’s hat-trick of crowns from 2000-2002.