Toll Holdings has joined Holden Special Vehicles as joint-naming rights partners of Holden’s second top ranked team, and based on the blistering pace shown late last year, the squad could definitely contend for the championship title this year. Garth Tander will once again lead he team in his #16 VZ Commodore. After struggling early with the poor race package used by the Holden Racing Team in 2004, Tander recovered to claim a dominant round win in Tasmania and also finished on the podium at Hidden Valley and Phillip Island. He is the key to success for the Toll HSV Dealer Team, with vast experience racing V8 Holden’s a Bathurst victory in 2000 and a runner-up place in the championship of the same year to his name. It is imperative for Tander to get a good start in the championship, but it is likely that he will be hot tipped to challenge for a first title.
Younger teammate Rick Kelly has been a shining light for this team since joining it in 2003. Two Bathurst victories with Greg Murphy and his own solo win at Eastern Creek are indicators that this youngster is bound for success. 2005 was a difficult year however for Kelly, but judging by his good pace in the final five rounds of last season, it is highly likely that Kelly will finish in the top ten at most, if not all rounds.
Final Word
Tander: Has to be a favourite to deliver Holden a championship.
Kelly: A solid year will deliver a top ten result, but a blistering effort will net wins.
Dick Johnson Racing
Steven Johnson (#17 BF Falcon), Will Davison (#18 BF Falcon)
Since 2002, Dick Johnson Racing has been stranded in the wilderness of V8 Supercar Racing. Steve Johnson and Paul Radisich were immensely successful in 2001 and flew the Ford flag high – but several drivers and two major sponsorship changes later – the team is yet to truly reclaim its perch as a Blue Oval great.
