Bathurst legend Greg Murphy and stuntman Gary Reid will pair up in a unique entry for the 2025 Shannons Adelaide Rally.Murphy, a four-time winner of the Bathurst 1000, will share driving duties witrh Reid in a unique 1983-spec VH Commodore for the popular three-day tarmac rally, held in South Australia this November.
The Commodore is a vehicle from Reid’s own private collection of cars. The VH ‘HDT Improved’ is a high-performance version of that Holden model from the early 80s, developed by the Holden Dealer Team (HDT).
Featuring a modified 5.0-litre V8 engine, the car produces 180 kW and features unique styling with front and rear spoilers, sports suspension and larger wheels.
Murphy needs no introductions to Commodores, having won the Bathurst 1000 four times in various iterations of the model.
Reid’s motor racing credentials aren’t quite that of his New Zealand co-driver, but Reid is best known for his stunt work and burn out sessions at Repco Supercars Championship events, so don’t be surprised if you see the Commodore skidding through the hills of Adelaide.
The 2025 Shannons Adelaide Rally is scheduled for November 21-23 and is set to attract over 400 entrants.
The rally features a mix of competitive and non-competitive categories, including the Prima Tour, Main Tour, Spirit Tour, and Time-Speed-Distance (TSD) category. Participants navigate up to 34 closed-road stages across the picturesque Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu Peninsula, and the Adelaide CBD.
Beyond the rally stages, the event is renowned for its festive atmosphere. Highlights include the Gouger Street Party in the CBD, lunch stops in towns like Bridgewater and Strathalbyn, and designated spectator zones that allow fans to closely follow the action. These elements combine to offer a unique blend of motorsport excitement and community engagement, making the Adelaide Rally a standout event on Australia’s motorsport calendar.
QUOTES
Greg Murphy
New Zealand motorsport legend
“I’m pumped to be driving in the rally,” said Murphy.
“I think I’m going to have to take my brave pills when I’m sitting next to Gary. We know what he likes to do in cars, but at the end of the day, this is all for a bit of fun.
“I’ve not done the Adelaide Rallu before. We’ve heard it’s a great time – really relaxed. I’m looking forward to it.”
Gary Reid
Repco ambassador
“I’ve owned this Commodore for 25 years and it was my first ever ‘toy’ car that I owned,” said Reid.
“I went for my first drive in it when I was 13 as a kid and fell in love with it straight away. It was owned by a family friend and I got the chance to drive it when I was 17. Then I bought it when I was 25 years old and held onto it ever since. It is a beautiful car.
“For an event like the Adelaide Rally, I just thought, “let’s pull this out and have some fun.”
“And Murph is going to be the best person to do it with too. He has such a rich history with Holdens and Commodores and thought it’d be a bit of fun going through the hills with him.”