Holden’s official factory team, the Holden Racing Team has unveiled a more aggressive appearance and turned up the volume for the 2012 V8 Supercar season.
The reigning Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 Champion’s exciting new look was revealed overnight and will make its on-track debut when V8 Supercar Champions Garth Tander and James Courtney take part in the Official Pre-Season Test next weekend.
The unveiling was the first part of a two-stage launch strategy with stage two a corporate season launch on Thursday, 16 February.
The creation of Holden Design’s Peter Hughes, HRT’s bold new presentation is an advancement of 2011’s striking design with a heavier presence of black fused with carbon-fibre accents and the introduction of gold into the famous team logo.
"The 2012 Holden Racing Team livery is a progressive evolution of last year’s dramatic change in appearance,” Hughes said.
"We've introduced gold into the HRT logo to better integrate the livery as a whole and turned up the volume – this year’s car is even more aggressive and angry, but still unmistakably HRT.”
Holden Sponsorship Manager, Simon McNamara said the change to the team logo was a fitting tribute to HRT’s winning heritage.
“Last year, in its 21st year the Holden Racing Team won its seventh Bathurst and 200th all-time race so the updated logo reflects the success it has had in bringing home the gold,” McNamara said.
“The more aggressive appearance also portrays the intense determination existing within Holden and HRT to add to its record in 2012.”
Reigning and three-time Bathurst 1000 Champion, Garth Tander said the livery revealed the team’s resolve to build on past success.
“Peter Hughes and Holden Design have done it again, not only meeting the design brief but exceeding expectations,” Tander said.
“The new look is fantastic – unmistakably HRT, but also bold and intimidating.
“It also reflects the commitment to realise the results of our hard work and to not just be representatives of HRT, but also contributors to its legacy.”
2010 V8 Supercar Champion, James Courtney, who endured a difficult first half to season 2011 after winning in Abu Dhabi, said he believed the team would capitalise on its development work.
“I love the new look of our HRT Commodores – they’re loud, have attitude and show we mean business,” Courtney said.
“The first half of 2011 was tough, but we made changes within the team, put our heads down and got to work.
“We had a strong finish to the year. We showed improving car speed, Garth [and Nick Percat] won Bathurst, and we were among the highest points scorers in the second half.
“The development’s continued off-season and we’re confident it’s going to pay off with better results this year.”
The unveiling also revealed a number of sponsorship changes with HRT welcoming a new agreement with Continental Tyres and bigger partnership with Coates Hire, which was an endurance partner in 2011.
The team has also formed an alliance with Virgin Australia as Official Airline Partner.
Long-time loyal sponsors, integrated logistics services supplier Toll and NGK Spark Plugs will again have a major presence, while world lubricants icon Mobil’s recent renewal will take it to its 20th year with HRT.
For the second year, the HRT Commodore V8 Supercars and supporting equipment will be transported around Australia by UD Trucks, its GW470, the only heavy duty truck in Australia to meet the stringent JPLT 05 emission standard.
In 2011, HRT recorded race wins in Abu Dhabi (Courtney), Adelaide, Melbourne, Townsville (Tander) and at Mt. Panorama (Tander/Percat) – the Bathurst victory HRT’s record 200th all-time race win. It also achieved podiums at Perth, Winton, Launceston, Sandown and Sydney.
HRT finished fourth in team points with Tander fifth and Courtney 10th in driver points.
The second stage of launch on 16 February will see a season theme and new team mantra premiered, along with the formal introduction of new HRT Managing Director, Steve Hallam.
The Official V8 Supercar Pre-Season Test takes place at Sandown Raceway in Melbourne on Saturday, 11
 [copyright-free photo by Phil Willams - www.freewebs.comphilwillmedia]nsp_119.JPG)
nsp_119.jpg)
