Rally-Spec V8 Supercar Holden Heads to Europe for Rallylegend

A Holden Commodore V8, described as "practically a V8 Supercar," is leaving Australia for Italy to compete in the 24th edition of Rallylegend, set for October 8-11. The rally-spec car, prepared by Mildun Motorsport, will be driven by Braeden Kendrick of Kendrick Motorsport.

Kendrick says he was inspired to contact Rallylegend organizers after watching videos of the event online, some of which have amassed over 4 million views. "We were just sitting in the factory having a couple of beers watching some of the footage from over there and this event in particular," he told Speedcafe. "We thought this is an awesome event to bring the Commodore to and we don’t have to worry about anything, whether it complies with their rules because everything’s different over there. We can just get there and we can race. I know there won’t be any issues with the vehicle being compliant. We just go there, have some fun and see where we end up."

Kendrick's following has grown in recent years thanks to his gravel exploits in V8-powered Commodores going viral on social media. From the outside, the Commodore looks fairly bare bones, but under the skin it's a different story. The car has been extensively modified with a fuel tank in the back seat to help with weight distribution, and the seating positions, steering column, and pedal box have all been moved inward.

Baca JugaRally Holden V8 Supercar Meluncur ke Eropa untuk Rallylegend

Power comes from a 5.7-litre Chevrolet LS1 coupled to a six-speed sequential gearbox with a nine-inch differential and floating hubs. In Kendrick's eyes, it's built like a V8 Supercar. "We’re sitting further back behind the B-pillar and over towards the transmission tunnel," he said. "The pedal box has been moved over, the steering column has been moved over, and it’s all how you build a race car from the get-go. It’s a monster. It’s violent. We call it Rhonda, the violent one, like Ronda Rousey. It’s a weapon. It makes all the right noises. It’s loud in the cab, and that’s why we went with the short stroke as well, just nice and zingy."

Why a Commodore? For Kendrick, it's in the blood. "My dad worked at General Motors-Holden for a long time, so we’re Holden fans," he said. "I wanted to make a VN do things that the little cars do. We just wanted to be able to beat Ford Escorts in a big VN Commodore. Beat sports cars like two-door coupes and whatnot that are typically your go-to rally car. And we did – we won the two-wheel drive Victorian Rally Championship last year, so we were able to beat all the quick Escorts."

With everything adjustable, including custom-made K-frames, this car is practically a V8 Supercar. "Everything’s adjustable. We’ve got custom-made K-frames. It’s practically a V8 Supercar. You drive it on the throttle with all the horsepower. Like I said, sequential gearbox and MoTeC and you flat shift. It’s a V8 Supercar, it’s just that you drive it on dirt through gum trees, not down Conrod Straight," he explained.

Kendrick and his crew are heading to Italy as something of a wildcard entry, not bogged down by technical regulations. The plan is to treat it like an exhibition, keeping with the spirit of what they've seen on YouTube. "Obviously one thing that rallying in Australia lacks is the crowd attendance," he said. "There’ll be a big crowd, a lot of people, and we’ll fly the flag, show them what the Holden Commodore is, a big V8, and basically just put on a show and be a part of something cool and see some of the best cars around the world. To be a part of that will be awesome. I suppose we’re travelling the furthest that anyone’s ever travelled to do this event, so they’re excited to have us. It’s gonna be cool."

Kendrick also mentioned that the adventure comes with a cost, and he is taking expressions of interest for sponsorships, expecting this to be a viral moment for the car.