The legacy of Peter Brock and the Holden Dealer Team (HDT) is set to be reborn. HDT has announced there will be a "significant announcement" outlining plans for the legendary brand and its return to the heartland of Australian motorsport. The announcement will form part of the 'Lap 162: The Great Race Cool Down' event, which also recognises the recent 20th anniversary of Brock's death.
History of HDT and Peter Brock
HDT traces its roots back to the late 1960s, when the Holden Dealer Team was launched to get around General Motors' global ban on motorsport involvement. Brock took over the team in 1980 and created the spin-off HDT Special Vehicles brand that produced racing-inspired, high-performance road cars. However, that empire crumbled in 1987 when Holden cut off the company amid Brock's insistence on fitting a box of crystals to HDT vehicles, dubbed the 'Energy Polarizer'.
After Brock's death, car collector Peter Champion rebooted the HDT brand the following year, offering aftermarket packages for Holdens, as well as merchandising. Now, Speedcafe understands HDT's latest revival is being spearheaded by US-based Australian businessman and racer Kenny Habul. It's expected to include the establishment of new HDT premises in Bathurst under a deal with the local council.
Kenny Habul's Role and Future Plans
Habul, a solar energy tycoon, has previously spoken of his connection to Brock and owns several significant HDT race and road cars. He owns multiple properties at Mount Panorama and was made an official ambassador for the city in 2024, having twice won the Bathurst 12 Hour event outright. The October 12 event will feature a display of HDT road cars – including a VL SL used as a prototype for the controversial Director.
It's believed the 1987 Bathurst 1000-winning Commodore VL owned by Habul will also appear at Bathurst, pending the completion of restoration efforts. Other Habul-owned Brock cars – including the 1991 Perkins-built VN and 2004 Holden Racing Team VY – are also expected to feature amid tributes over the course of the race weekend. The Monday program will include Supercars commentator Richard Craill interviewing several major figures from HDT history in a Q&A on Kings Parade.
HDT is a major sponsor of the 'Lap 162' promotion, which was instigated as a way of alleviating traffic congestion amid the closure of Victoria Pass on the Great Western Highway. "HDT and Bathurst have unfinished business," an HDT spokesperson said. "Contributing to this event seemed like a pretty good place to start." The brand is also backing the Touring Car Masters Holden Commodore of Dave Casey, which is painted up in replica HDT colours.
Impact and Expectations
This revival of HDT is not just nostalgia; it's a strategic move to strengthen Brock's legacy in the modern era. With Habul's backing, who has the resources and passion, HDT has the potential to become a force again in the Australian automotive industry. The event at Bathurst will be a key moment to announce future plans and celebrate HDT's long history. Fans can look forward to full details of the post-Bathurst 1000 concert and how HDT will return to the track.
Baca Juga
HDT dan Peter Brock akan bangkit kembali di Bathurst 1000. Simak rencana Kenny Habul dan acara Lap 162 yang memperingati 20 tahun kepergian Brock.
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