Farewell to Holden’s Supercar
This weekend’s Supercars round at Pukekohe is promising a slew of fast-paced race action for motorsport fans.
“As part of the transition from 50 years of Holden motorsport success to Chevrolet Racing and with the move to Gen3 Camaro for the 2023 season, there’s an outstanding opportunity to farewell the Holden Supercar in appropriate style,” says Chris Payne, Chevrolet Racing’s general manager.
“It’s especially timely to be making the journey across the Tasman with a Kiwi leading the championship and Holden already claiming the manufacturers’ title.”
Red Bull Ampol Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen says: “It’s exciting to be coming home to Pukekohe to race a Commodore one final time. New Zealand has been starved of motorsport for so long and the passion for racing there is huge.
“My interest in Supercars started at Pukekohe, and I’d love to leave with a good result for the Kiwi fans and Holden. I’m trying not to get too caught up in the significance of the event, but I’m so excited to get there.”
After claiming a win in both races at the most recent round at Sandown, Van Gisbergen, pictured, has equalled Craig Lowndes’ tally of 16 wins in a season. If he secures a clean sweep at Pukekohe, he will set a new record of 19 wins.
One driver synonymous with Holden Racing is Greg Murphy, a four-time Bathurst champion. He made Pukekohe his own, winning four of the first five Supercar rounds at the fast-paced, sometimes bumpy and often spectacular circuit.
“Pukekohe is an iconic racetrack with its own special character and characters,” enthuses Murphy. “It has witnessed so many historical moments over the years.
“It’s been the place where so many drivers have had their first taste of motorsport and I have fond memories of my race and round wins. I hope fans come along this weekend and give the circuit, and the Holdens, the send-off they deserve.”
The Pukekohe round is the first time the public will be able to see an official GMSV new-model display at a Supercars round in this country.
“GMSV is almost two years old and we’ve been itching to get across the Tasman and put together a portfolio activation as part of a Supercars event,” says Jodie Lennon, of GMSV.
“Corvette and Silverado offer plenty of V8 power and will have huge appeal to fans, so I’d encourage people to come along to the GMSV site and have a good look at these amazing vehicles.”
