Holden Rally Team Hot to Trot
Date: 11-Aug-2011
HRT/2011 AUSTRALASIAN SAFARI/PRESS RELEASE
If the dazzling colour of the twin HRT Colorado Spacecab Utes is any indication, they’re both fully prepared to give the Australasian Safari ‘a red hot go’ as the late Peter Brock was wont to declare. Over two solid days testing on Peter Glennie’s private test track to evaluate suspension settings and fine tune aero and cooling systems both vehicles performed flawlessly with Craig Lowndes and Paul Weel swapping driver’s seats and notes throughout the sessions.
The new Colorado is a virtual clone of last year’s Safari winner but sports a 6litre LS2 V8 which provides marginally more grunt than the 5.7litre LS1. HRT supremo Kees Weel won’t provide figures but, similar to Rolls Royce, maintains power is adequate. Both vehicles now sport upgraded Alcon ventilated discs with 4 piston callipers and improved protection against rocks and debris.
Seasoned navigator John Panozzo will point the way for Craig Lowndes while Paul Weel will chauffeur the old man himself in the newer car. There are no ‘team orders’ and whilst both units are built tough enough to finish only one can finish first.
Peter Whitaker 8 August 2011
