The first set of entries to take part in the Holden Bathurst Revival at Mount Panorama later this year has been announced with more than a dozen Holdens confirmed.
The event will play a supporting role during Australian Racing Group’s inaugural Bathurst International in November and will feature a variety of iconic Holdens from all eras of motorsport.
From V8 Supercars and Group A - to Commodore Cup, Group N and other classical models, the revival event will act as a tribute to the brand after its parent company General Motors announced it would cease future Holden production this year.
Headlining the list of Holdens already entered into the Revival is the Perkins Engineering-built Commodore VR of Darren Freeman, which dons the same livery used during the 1999 Bathurst 1000 by Mike Imrie and Rodney Crick.
Originally built to VP specification for West Australian privateer racer Ian Love, current owner Freeman will use the Revival as way to fulfil his lifelong dream of competing on the mountain in a Supercar.
“I’ve been to Bathurst before, but not in a V8 Supercar, and this is going to be a bucket list moment for me,” Freeman explained.
“I’ve driven around the mountain in my Clubman Birkin, but this will be something completely different.
“Bathurst is an iconic circuit. I’m one of those guys who’d get up early to watch the Bathurst 1000, sitting there all day with my dad and watching the whole race. Since I was five years old, I’ve loved the place.
“To drive any car there is awesome, but to drive a Supercar in anger is going to be something again. And to have the chance to do it in a period correct, legitimate V8 Supercar is bucket list stuff for anyone who loves motorsport.”
Another proud Holden owner also entered is first-time Bathurst racer Richard Wells, who is in possession of the Group A Commodore VK that finished eighth during the 1988 Bathurst 1000.
“I’ve been to Bathurst plenty of times before, but I’ve never driven a race car around there, so I’m really looking forward to it,” Wells said.
“I’ve used the car a few times at track days, but it’s always been a dream to drive at Bathurst. I wouldn’t be confident racing it in the heritage touring cars. I don’t have the experience, but something like this is perfect for me.”
With entry to the Holden Bathurst Revival still open, interested competitors can contact [email protected] for more eligibility and event details.
The Holden Bathurst Revival will run part of the inaugural Bathurst International event on 12-15 November.