The transition from Holden motorsport to Chevrolet Racing gathers pace, coinciding with the final Supercars championship visit to Pukekohe Park Raceway ahead of the legendary circuit’s closure in 2023.
Red Bull Ampol Racing driver, Shane van Gisbergen, has already secured the 2022 manufacturer title for Holden and arrives in New Zealand off the back of a record-equalling 16th win for the season at Sandown.
Supercars pays its final visit to Pukekohe Park Raceway over the weekend of September 10-11 ahead of the circuit closing for good in 2023.
To celebrate, GM Australia and New Zealand is promising plenty of fast-paced race action and activity for motorsport fans, both on and off the circuit.
“As part of the transition from 50 years of Holden motorsport success to Chevrolet Racing and with the move to Gen3 Camaro for the 2023 season, there is an outstanding opportunity to farewell the Holden Supercar in appropriate style,” says Chris Payne, Chevrolet Racing General Manager.
“It’s especially timely to be making the journey across the Tasman with a Kiwi leading the championship and with Holden already claiming the manufacturers title.”
Red Bull Ampol Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen says it is exciting to be coming home to Pukekohe to race a Commodore one final time.
“My interest in Supercars started at Pukekohe, and I’d love to leave with a good result for the Kiwi fans and Holden. I’m trying not to get too caught up in the significance of the event, but I’m so excited to get there.”
After claiming a win in both Sunday races at the most recent round at Sandown, Shane has equalled Craig Lowndes’ tally of 16 wins in a season. If Shane was to clean-sweep the Pukekohe round, then he would set a new all-time record of 19 wins in a season.
One driver synonymous with Holden Racing is four-time Bathurst Champion and hometown hero, Greg Murphy.
Murph made Pukekohe his own, winning four of the first five Supercar rounds at the fast-paced, sometimes bumpy and often spectacular circuit.
“Pukekohe is an iconic racetrack with its own special character and characters, it has witnessed so many historical moments over the years,” he says. “It’s been the place where so many drivers have had their first taste of motorsport and I certainly have very fond memories of my race and round wins.
“I hope race-fans come along this weekend and give the circuit and the Holdens a send-off they deserve.”
The Pukekohe round will also be the first time Kiwis will be able to see an official GMSV new model display at a Supercars round in New Zealand.
“GMSV is almost two years old, and we’ve been itching to get across the Tasman and put together a portfolio activation as part of a Supercars event,” said Jodie Lennon, GMSV Marketing, Customer Experience and Communications Manager.
“Corvette and Silverado offer plenty of V8 power and will have huge appeal to race fans, so I’d encourage people to come along to the GMSV site and have a good look at these amazing vehicles.”
