HRT 2012 Livery Photo credit: Holden Racing Team
Holden's official factory team, the Holden Racing Team has unveiled its livery for the 2012 V8 Supercars season.
The new paint scheme features 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,” Holden Design's Peter 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.”
Competing in his fifth year with HRT, 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,” the three-time Bathurst 1000 Champion 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 added:
“I love the new look of our HRT Commodores – they're loud, have attitude and show we mean business,” he said.
The unveiling also revealed a number of sponsorship changes with HRT welcoming a new agreement with Continental Tyres, ending a long standing deal with Bridgestone, and a 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, Toll and NGK Spark Plugs will remain the team's major backers, with continued support from Mobil (now in its 20th year with HRT), UD Trucks and Rockstar Energy Drinks.
The unveiling of the new look is the first part of a two-stage launch strategy. Stage two will be a corporate season launch on 16 February which will see a season theme and new team mantra premiered, along with the formal introduction of new HRT Managing Director, Steve Hallam.
The HRT Commodore will make its on-track debut when Tander and Courtney take part in the Official Pre-Season Test on 11 February.
