Holden Dealer Team - The Brock Era

The Brock Era

Despite the success, by 1980 Holden was ready to pull the pin on the Holden Dealer Team. They believed there was no longer any point in competing against privateer teams driving Holden cars, and they put the team up for sale. Peter Brock purchased the team, and in order to finance it, called on Holden dealers to support him. In return for providing assistance, Brock would build a special range of modified, high performance Commodores for the dealers to add to their range. (See section on HDT Special Vehicles below). For the first time, the team really was a 'Dealer Team'. Meanwhile, Brock also took over the management of the racing team as John Sheppard had left the team when Holden pulled out.

Despite the off track changes, the Holden Dealer Team remained as competitive as ever, with Brock claiming a second 'triple crown'. This time his Bathurst adventure was less straightforward. Chasing Dick Johnson's Ford XD Falcon early in the race, Brock collided with a back marker. The damage was only minor but Brock went a lap down whilst his car was repaired. Soon after however, Johnson hit a rock on the top of the mountain and was out of the race, and Brock and Richards fought their way back throughout the day to score a come from behind win.

While the Holden Dealer Team was unable to win another Touring Car Championship, the team maintained its excellent Bathurst record over the next few years. Brock won Bathurst again in 1982 with former Formula One driver Larry Perkins, and again in controversial circumstances in 1983. The rules at the time permitted 'cross-entering' which meant that after Brock's car dropped out with an engine failure, both Brock and Perkins transferred into John Harvey's car, leaving Peter's younger brother Phil, who was to be Harvey's co-driver, without a drive. The trio then went on to win the race. For 1984 Brock and Perkins made it three in a row and the team made it a 1-2 when John Harvey and new recruit David Parsons crossed the line right behind, but 2 laps back, Brock in a form finish.