Holden fans shocked
While Holden enthusiasts are in mourning over the brand being pulled by General Motors, South Canterbury’s car club dedicated to the make is wondering what to do about hosting the Holden Nationals in Timaru next year.
News the company will cease sales of Holden in New Zealand and Australia by the end of the year, has been met with melancholy by Timaru fans.
South Canterbury Holden Club president Toni Gilbert said she was still in shock following Monday’s announcement by General Motors international
operations senior vice president Julian Blissett who cited economic reasons for ‘‘retiring’’ the brand. Three years ago the production of Holden ceased in Australia.
‘‘I’m still processing it,’’ Gilbert said yesterday.
The South Canterbury club with 35 members was in the midst of planning to host the New Zealand Holden Nationals at Easter next year, for the first time.
‘‘We have already booked venues and food for the three-day event.’’
Gilbert said she was concerned there would no longer be any Holden sponsorship available for the event. The nationals are held every second year and alternate between the North and South Islands, with about 250 cars on show.
Despite Holden about to become history, Gilbert said the
South Canterbury club would remain.
‘‘We are pretty passionate Holden lovers,’’ she said.
NZ Mobil 1 Mainland Muscle Cars (2017/2018) champion John Hepburn who races an HQ Monaro said he was sad about General Motors’ decision. He owns five Holdens – a 1972 HQ GTS Monaro, a 2005 GTO HSV, a 2004 SS Crewman and is restoring a 1970 HT Holden ute.
He has always been a fan of the Australian car and had a bit of rivalry with friends who were Ford fanatics particularly when they watched Bathhurst motor racing on television. His first Holden was a 1980s HT ute which he purchased when he was about 17.
Smallbone Holden Timaru and Ashburton chair Craig Carr said as a business it was working through options and waiting to find out more details.