Holden Racing Team ANZAC Appeal race suits and bonnet up for auction

The one-off ANZAC Appeal race suits used by the Holden Racing Team’s Garth Tander and James Courtney in New Zealand this year, along with a signed bonnet from the 2013 Commodore, are to be auctioned off online with proceeds going to the ANZAC Appeal.

The suits, made by Sabelt to the exact dimensions of HRT’s V8 Supercar Champion race drivers Garth Tander and James Courtney, were raced at the 2014 ITM 500 Auckland from April 24-27.

An historic occasion, the event marked the first time that the V8 Supercars had raced on ANZAC Day.

Courtney’s best result in his race suit was second in Race 11 on Saturday, while Tander’s best was fifth in the following Race 12.

The race suits, of which only two were made, will be auctioned off on eBay, with all proceeds going to the Returned & Services League of Australia and the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association.

A bonnet from a 2013 Holden Racing Team Commodore – which was raced in New Zealand, and has been signed by both drivers – will also be auctioned off.

GM Holden Motorsport and Sponsorship Manager Simon McNamara said that the race suit auction was a great way to raise awareness and important funds for the ANZAC Appeal.

“It’s been a fantastic campaign,” McNamara said.

“We launched the Holden Racing Team’s special one-off ANZAC Appeal livery at Melbourne’s iconic Shrine of Remembrance, raced the cars in New Zealand, and now these special race suits will be auctioned off to further benefit the veterans – with all proceeds going to the RSL and RSA.”

RSL Appeals and Membership Manager Peter Smith OAM urged motorsport fans to dig deep for this hugely significant piece of memorabilia.

“Holden and its factory racing team worked closely with the Returned & Services League of Australia (Victorian Branch) to commemorate the service and sacrifice of the past and present men and women of the Australian Defence Force,” Smith said.

“It was great seeing Garth and James race proudly with the ANZAC Appeal Rising Sun logo on the car and suits in New Zealand, and we hope fans everywhere will bid on the race suits to secure a piece of history while raising much-needed funds to support our veterans and their dependents.”

The HRT race suit and Commodore bonnet eBay auctions will start at 8pm on Saturday June 21, and end 10-days later on Tuesday July 1 at 8pm, with access via the links below.

http://www.hrt.com.au/racing/2014/auctions/anzac-appeal-race-suits

http://www.hrt.com.au/racing/2014/auctions/anzac-appeal-bonnet