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James Courtney has declared Holden Racing Team ready to win an elusive V8 Supercars championship after a dominant drive in the Clipsal 500.
The factory Holden team (HRT) scored first and third in Sunday’s 250km race, with Courtney going back to back at the season opener and Garth Tander placing third.
On the evidence of the first V8 Supercars meet of the season, HRT will give the all-conquering Red Bull Racing a run for their money in 2015.
No team has produced more race wins than HRT but the team hasn’t produced a champion since Mark Skaife in 2002.
Courtney said he believed that run could be broken after holding off a determined Shane Van Gisbergen to take the race win.
“Garth and myself are here to win the championship,” he said.
“We’re both massively hungry; we just want to win.
“We’re working really well together as much as it kills everyone who thought we were going to tear each other apart.”
The often outspoken Tander wasn’t as brazen as his younger teammate but also showed his belief they could contest.
“It’s round one of a long year but it’s encouraging signs by our cars,” he said.
“My race speed was awesome, I’m really happy with the car.
“There’s a great feel in the garage.
“If we do the best job we can, we’ll see what happens when pressure is put on the opposition.”
There was a barb for Red Bull from Courtney, who said they “dropped the ball while we brought our A-game”.
Round one started well for six-time champion Jamie Whincup, who won two poles on the opening day and won Saturday’s first race.
A puncture in the final stages of race two dropped Whincup well down the order, with a failed pit-stop strategy ruining his chances of contesting the third.
His popular teammate Craig Lowndes placed fourth, third and ninth in his three drives.
Whincup said poor car speed was the reason he and Lowndes missed out on champagne after Clipsal’s main race.
“That was the slowest car we’ve had around here for a long time,” he said.
“A few cars faded late, which was nice as we were able to get a few back.”
“We’ll learn from today and come back stronger next time.”
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