Holden Racing Team (HRT), established in 1990, becoming a dominant force in Australian motorsport.

History of Panteras Assembled from Vignale Coaches

Walkinshaw Andretti United, formerly the Holden Racing Team, is an iconic Australian motor racing outfit. Established in 1990, it became a dominant force in the Supercars Championship, particularly during the 1990s and early 2000s. The team was Holden’s factory-backed outfit and enjoyed multiple championship wins, with eight Bathurst 1000 victories. In 2018, Walkinshaw Racing partnered with Andretti Autosport and United Autosports, rebranding the team. While it’s no longer officially linked to Holden due to the brand’s withdrawal from Australia, the Holden legacy continues to define the team's identity.

The Holden Racing Team rose to prominence quickly after its foundation, thanks to the partnership between General Motors’ Holden brand and Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR). The team’s distinctive livery of red and white Holden Commodores became a staple in Australian touring car racing. Drivers like Peter Brock, Craig Lowndes, and Mark Skaife became household names under the Holden banner, further cementing the team’s legacy in motorsport history.

The 1990s saw the Holden Racing Team dominate the Supercars Championship, winning drivers' and teams' championships multiple times. Notably, the team secured the Bathurst 1000 eight times, cementing its place as a powerhouse in Australian motorsport. Bathurst victories, especially on Mount Panorama, were pivotal in shaping the team's and Holden's reputation in the sport. Drivers like Mark Skaife and Greg Murphy became synonymous with Holden’s racing success during this period.

However, the team faced challenges after TWR’s collapse in the early 2000s. Although Walkinshaw Racing took full control, the team struggled to regain its previous dominance. In 2016, Holden announced it would cease its factory support of the Holden Racing Team, marking the end of an era.

Despite this setback, the team continued to compete as Walkinshaw Racing and eventually rebranded as Walkinshaw Andretti United in 2018. The new ownership structure involved two international motorsport powerhouses: Andretti Autosport, run by Michael Andretti in the US, and United Autosports, owned by McLaren CEO Zak Brown. This new partnership revitalized the team, giving it access to global resources and expertise.

Although Holden as a brand was discontinued in Australia in 2020, Walkinshaw Andretti United continues to be strongly associated with the Holden name. The team still races Commodores and proudly upholds the legacy of the Holden Racing Team.

Looking to the future, Walkinshaw Andretti United aims to remain competitive in the Supercars Championship. With the international expertise of its new owners and its strong racing heritage, the team is well-positioned to adapt to the evolving landscape of Australian motorsport. Despite Holden’s exit from the market, the team's history and ongoing achievements ensure that the Holden legacy will remain an integral part of its identity for years to come.