Racing community reacts to Holden demise

The motor racing community is in mourning today after GM announced it will shut down the iconic Australian brand Holden.

Hundreds of jobs are expected to be lost in the cull across Australia and New Zealand that will see Holden gone by 2021.

Holden will cease all local sales, design, and engineering, ending production of all right-hand-drive vehicles.

In the hours following the announcement, several high-profile teams and drivers have taken to social media to express their sadness and share their memories of the marque.

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Nothing will EVER spin the rear wheels like a V8 Holden. Sad day for the Australian automotive industry and my thoughts are with the employees and dealer group. pic.twitter.com/0aTe0Y1uXk

— Jamie Whincup (@jamiewhincup) February 17, 2020

We are saddened by Holden’s closure announcement. Holden was always a fierce rival. A great Aussie brand coming to an end is sad for our country, no matter your allegiance. We feel for those affected, and look forward to continued strong competition on the track. #VASC #Holden pic.twitter.com/g16q44RUzS

— Shell V-Power Racing (@DJRTeamPenske) February 17, 2020

Our thoughts today are with the incredible men and women who make up the Holden workforce, the dealers, customers, and all Holden fans who have all been impacted by today’s news.

Our team has shared a long and successful relationship with Holden in Australia for three decades. pic.twitter.com/2bM2zBQeRi

— Walkinshaw Andretti United (@FollowWAU) February 17, 2020

1/1 – All of us here at Ford Australia are saddened to hear the news that Holden will cease operations. Holden is an iconic brand that holds a special place in the heart of many Australians, and has done so much to shape the Australian automotive industry and the country…

— Ford Australia (@FordAustralia) February 17, 2020

2/2 – Its vehicles have been worthy competitors both on road and on the racetrack. To our friends at Holden, thank you for keeping us on our toes and inspiring us to keep aiming higher. We will miss you.

— Ford Australia (@FordAustralia) February 17, 2020

What a sad day for Australians and the motor industry. 🙁@Holden_Msport will retire the brand at the end of 2020.

I had some fantastic memories representing the brand over the last five years.
Proud to be the final Supercar driver to race a Aussie Design VF in the #VASC C’ship pic.twitter.com/YDksY0Kj1K

— Todd Hazelwood (@Todd_Hazelwood) February 17, 2020

My thoughts today goes to the man and women of the #Holden workforce. Sad to hear the news of its demise. 😢 pic.twitter.com/JMb7MVSqIt

— Jazeman Jaafar (@jazemanjaafar) February 17, 2020

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Very sad news today about #Holden. Been a privilege to be a factory driver the last few years

A post shared by Shane van Gisbergen (@svg97) on Feb 16, 2020 at 9:26pm PST

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Swipe ➡️ for pics… Very sad news regarding @holdenaustralia announcement that they are closing operations in Australia. I feel fortunate to have driven a Holden product in every @supercarschampionship race in my 21 year career so far. Really feel for the passionate employees that have been part of the Holden brand over the journey.

A post shared by Garth Tander (@garthtander) on Feb 16, 2020 at 7:39pm PST

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After today’s news about @holdenaustralia I’m very proud to have raced for the Holden Racing Team.

A post shared by Jack Perkins (@jack_perkins_) on Feb 16, 2020 at 8:02pm PST

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A sad day with the announcement that Holden will cease to exist in Australia from the end of 2021. To all those directly effected by this news my thoughts are with you 😔. In my career I have been lucky to have the Holden badge on the front & enjoyed great success with the brand. Thank you to all the people at @holdenaustralia both past and present for allowing me to be part of the journey 🙌🙌.

A post shared by Warren Luff (@luffy76) on Feb 16, 2020 at 8:40pm PST

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Echoing the many thousands of comments so far since the news of the demise of the Holden brand in Australia – a very sad day for the motor industry and Motorsport. I have had a long association with the brand in my early days of Motorsport in Australia with some unforgettable moments along the way. The recent struggles that the Holden brand has endured has been hard to watch considering how iconic the Lion used to be. The thousands of jobs that were lost when manufacturing closed and now many hundreds more is a bitter blow for these people, many who would have dedicated their careers to Holden. I made long lasting friendships internally within Holden and people involved in the Dealer Network who are still friends to this day. Was an honour to represent the brand on the racetrack and won't be forgotten! 🏁 #Holden @castrolracingau

A post shared by Russell Ingall (@russellingall) on Feb 16, 2020 at 8:43pm PST

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Holden no more. Incredible memories for our family driving for @holdenmotorsport over the last 5 decades. @jimrichardsofficial

A post shared by Steve Richards (@steve_richo) on Feb 16, 2020 at 9:54pm PST