Imagine going into the garage to pull the cover off your much loved Monaro, only to find an EH Holden sitting there instead. You’d be suspicious, and shocked, especially since you’d walked past the covered car many times and never noticed anything wrong.

This was the situation Neil Rutherford found himself in five years ago now.

The Monaro was part way through a rebuild at the time, the second build under Neil’s ownership, and in his eyes it was just about ready for paint.

Neil’s son Steve was the instigator of the plan to take the car while Neil and his wife Tilly were away for a few weeks, then give it a Read the full story »

HSV have today unveiled their latest range of high-performance vehicles, dubbed Gen-F. The launch is one of the most exciting Australian vehicle launches in some time, and is being touted as the company’s most significant model range in its 25 year history.

Based on the new Holden Commodore VF platform, the lineup is all new, rather than just a facelift of outgoing models. Highlights of the Gen-F range include a significant exterior styling makeover including new front and rear fascia’s, tail-lamps, wheels and spoilers.

The new premium interior encompasses new seats, fabrics, instrument panels, gauges, centre console, trims and finishes. Four different engine power options are available, with the most significant one being the 430kW, 740NM option in the range-topping HSV GTS – the most powerful engine to ever be offered in an Australian production car.

A new “SV” option on the three “R8” derivatives – ClubSport, R8, ClubSport R8 Tourer and Maloo R8 offers a power upgrade to 340kW / 570Nm, unique 20-inch SV Performance forged alloy wheels (finished in Satin Graphite), a lo-line spoiler, and distinctive “pitch black” accents on the fender vents and exterior mirrors.

A new range of technological advancements have been added to the vehicles, including Bi-Modal Air Intake, 3rd Generation Magnetic Ride Control, Torque Vectoring and a Driver Preference Dial which controls a range of electronic vehicle performance systems. 

The vehicles also wear new forged brake calipers and larger rotors that offer significant improvements in pedal feel, stopping power and a reduction in unsprung weight.

All models of the out-going HSV E3 range line-up including the recently introduced ClubSport and Maloo models will be available in Gen-F.

The GTS, which is the highlight of the range makes its 430kW thanks to a 6.3-Litre supercharged LSA engine. Other highlights include improved braking performance, an upgraded 9.9-inch diff and stronger axles, as well as brake-torque vectoring, a first for the HSV lineup.

Located conveniently behind the gear shifter, the Driver Preference Dial adjusts the vehicle’s ESC, Traction Control, Launch Control (manual transmission), Torque Vectoring, Electric Power Steering (another new addition to the GEN-F range), MRC and Bi-Modal Exhaust, according to four distinct pre-set modes – Touring, Sport, Performance and Track. In doing so, the vehicle’s handling characteristics instantly change.

The GTS’s new Forward Collision Alert is another first for the manufacturer and makes the cars amongst the safest in the world! A camera, located above the rear view mirror, scans the road ahead up to 14 times per second. When a crash is predicted, the driver is alerted with an audible tone and a visible alert in the Head Up Display. Anticipating hard braking, the system applies sufficient brake pressure to close the space between the brake pads and rotors, thus delivering a quicker brake response time.

HSV’s Managing Director, Phil Harding says “It’s a really proud moment for the team at Clayton”. “The GEN-F range is the culmination of over 4 years of design, development and testing and we’re really confident that we’ve developed the best HSVs ever”.

While pricing for is yet to be announced, Harding confirmed that HSV remains committed to offering the best value high performance vehicles available in Australia. “Value for money has always been, and will continue to be, a key pillar of our success. While we’re not in a position to announce pricing just yet, I can assure our fans that they won’t be disappointed”, said Harding.

Production of the new HSV range will start in two weeks’ time with vehicles due to arrive in local HSV showrooms in early July, with the GTS arrive in late September.

Look out for more info over the next few days, and we’ll bring you news on the pricing as it becomes available.

It’s that time of the month again, or should we say, the best day of the month as the latest issue is in store today!

Gracing the cover is one of the coolest Mopars in the land – the freshly built mega power Dodge Super Bee of Andrew Storey.

Other feature cars include an in-depth look at the Shapes Roadies Top Doorslammer, a wild VL Walkinshaw replica, and a tough 1947 Chev.

On the event front, there’s the ITM400 from Pukekohe, the annual Nostalgia Drags, the final round of Central Muscle Cars and all the action from the Leadfoot Festival.

Our favourite article is the in-depth look at Mickey Thompson – the man behind the name. Of course, there’s plenty more than the above in there, so grab a copy today and check it out. If you’re too lazy to head to the shops, hit the ‘Shop’ button at the top of this page, and get a copy delivered to your door.

We’re big fans of the lead sled scene, which sees cars of ’50s vintage sliced and diced to become the perfect low-and-slow Sunday cruisers. The popularity of cars such as the Hudsons and Mercurys that are generally used to build sleds has seen the price of them get out of control, especially if you’re looking for a desirable two-door version.

Call us crazy, but we think that the Jaguar Mark 1 has a similar shape to the Hudsons and Mercurys, and at around $10,000 for a decent, running vehicle, they’re not a badly priced option for a sled project, if of course you’re willing to step outside the box.

The theory of this build would be that everyone would hate it, but be forced to love it at the same time. Chopping up a Jag would Read the full story »

Team JELD-WEN’s Alex Davison will pair with experienced V8 Supercar co-driver John McIntyre in all three V8 Supercars Endurance Cup long-distance races at Sandown, Bathurst and the Gold Coast.

McIntyre is a long-standing Ford driver and has three New Zealand touring car titles to his name and also won last year’s inaugural NZ V8 SuperTourers Sprint Series.

He is excited to continue his relationship with the factory team after last year partnering Alex’s brother, Will at Sandown and Bathurst.

”I am really looking forward to driving with Alex as he is always one of the drivers in the mix at the end of these long-distance races,” McIntyre said.

“He and the team have been making obvious progress all season since they joined the series and I think we should be strong at all three tracks.

“I’ve worked with Campbell Little before and obviously was with FPR last year so it will be a familiar environment which always helps. The new-spec V8 Supercars have distinct similarities to the SuperTourer I race so that should aid my transition to the new cars.

“I’d also like to thank Charlie for the opportunity as his seat was definitely the best one available and I look forward to what Alex and I can achieve together.”

Team owner Charlie Schwerkolt believes the experience of his two drivers will be a valuable asset come the Endurance Cup.

“I am thrilled to bits to have John join Team JELD-WEN and I am sure he will do a great job for us,” Schwerkolt said.

“Alex has always been consistent and quick at the endurance races and it is all about being there in the closing stages so no matter which driver we paired with him, car 18 was going to be a contender.

“But with John in the car we have two very experienced drivers that know the team and the tracks so it gives us a great chance of gaining high overall results.”

Team JELD-WEN is busily preparing the #18 JELD-WEN FPR Ford for the trip to Austin, Texas for next weekend’s first ever V8 Supercars event in America.

Race 10

CRAIG LOWNDES TAKES VICTORY AGAIN AND CRACKS THE ALL – TIME WIN RECORD AT BARBAGALLO.

After 90 career wins, Craig Lowndes set his sights on a race win here at Barbagallo, and didn’t disappoint. Following teammate Jamie Whincup during the first half of the 60/60 super sprint, Lowndes made what we now know as a race winning move 2 laps into the second half, awarding him his 91^st V8 supercar series win, beating Mark Skaife’s previous record.

Mark Winterbottom’s FPR Falcon looked after its tyres remarkably well and with it roaring towards Whincup, Jamie was forced to hold on and take 2^nd place just behind race winner Craig Lowndes.

Jason Bright was able to secure fourth position ahead of Alex Davidson, Premat, Reynolds, Courtney, Van Gisbergen and Moffat. Coulthard came in 27^th after a disappointing end with a tyre malfunction causing him to veer off the road whilst in 5^th position in the final leg.

Coulthard wasn’t the only one with tyre troubles with Will Davidson also suffering in the first leg. Despite this he was able to redeem himself, finishing 14^th at the conclusion of race 10, just ahead of the exceptional newcomer Chaz Mostert.

After a disastrous crash in Pukekohe, Scott Pye in the Ekol Holden came back and again found himself in trouble after sliding down the grass becoming momentarily airborne following a three – wide squeeze with Kelly and Tander. Pye did manage to get back out for the second half of the race however was black flagged for loose body work.

Maro Engel lost his 9^th position qualifying place to come in 24^th and Tim Slade achieved Erebus’ best result of the race coming in at 13^th, just 3 spots behind top Nissan driver James Moffat.

Garth Tander hit trouble early, managing to get stuck in the Turn 7 sand trap after an incident involving Jonathon Webb and Tim Blanchard which will be investigated following the race completion.

Race 11 & 12 set for Sunday will conclude Round 4 of the Championship and round out a great weekend at Perth.

Race 11

AS THE TYRE STRUGGLE PERSISTED, JAMIE WHINCUP FORGED AHEAD AND CAME OUT ON TOP FOR RACE 11.

With Craig Lowndes’ impressive win yesterday, Red Bull Racing has come up with the goods again amidst Jamie Whincup’s further race win at Barbagallo.  It was an interesting race 11 with all drivers pitting for new tyres during the 100km battle, however Dean Fiore, Scott Pye and Alexandre Premat were the exceptions who daringly tried to escape stopping during the race.

Dean Fiore had this approach working for him with his Dodo Insurance Racing Commodore leading the race, however he was nabbed with seven laps to go by number 1 Jamie Whincup. Whincup fought off Mark Winterbottom and his FPR Falcon as the pair battled for the front of the pack for the majority of the race, which was greatly aided by the duo being amongst the first to pit. This was overshadowed by Jason Bright who eventually took second from Mark Winterbottom with 2 laps left.

Bright in the BOC Holden was only 0.75s behind Whincup at the completion of race 11 after a rather unfavourable start, dropping from pole to fourth. His tyres did have the advantage in the end after pitting 6 laps behind Whincup and Mark Winterbottom, who finished 3^rd.

Craig Lowndes’ attempt at gaining a back to back win following his triumph on Saturday were put to rest as he was forced to veer off the track to avoid Jason Bright in the early stages. Dean Fiore, Scott Pye and Alexandre Premat’s attempt at running the race without stopping proved detrimental after they ended the race coming in at 13^th for Fiore, 19^th for Premat and 27^th for Pye.

The safety car was the sight to see for 4 of the first 5 laps after an incident between Holdsworth and David Wall which resulted in the Irwin racing Mercedes catching the sand trap on turn 6.

The final race for round 4 of the championship is set for this afternoon and by the looks of things, will be a thriller.
Race 12

Jamie Whincup triumphs again in an electrifying race 12 at Barbagallo raceway.

The final instalment of racing at Barbagallo has rounded out a colossal, action packed weekend with Jamie Whincup defeating some tough competition including his team mate, Craig Lowndes and taking out race 12.

Coolant dropped by the SP Tools Mercedes reeked havoc for Whincup with the Red Bull Racing Holden losing the lead, taking a tour through the turn 7 sand trap on lap 15. Alongside Whincup, Mark Winterbottom also was caught by the destructive turn 7 sand trap. Despite initially dropping to 21^st, he was able to recover and take a solid 12^th position. Following the sand trap, Jamie pitted to repair damage and fell to second just behind Craig Lowndes. The 888 star looked like he had race 12 in the bag, however a minute mistake by Lowndes of running wide on the second safety car race restart, allowed the Number 1 Red Bull Racing Holden to slide past with just 11 laps remaining.

The sand traps got another work out with Russel Ingall and David Wall ending their race and causing the second safety car of the contest after becoming severely bogged at turn 7. Race 12’s first full course yellow flag was initiated due to Michael Caruso’s Nissan losing a tyre.

Jason Bright battled the pack and achieved third followed by Will Davidson, David Reynolds, Shane Van Gisbergen, Fabian Coulthard, James Moffat, Garth Tander and newcomer Chaz Mostert which wrapped up the top 10 for the final clash of round 4.