Holdsworth has co-drive locked in
By Thomas Miles
Date posted: 16 December 2022
Despite Garth Tander being a surprise addition to Grove Racing’s driver line up, recently retired full-time racer Lee Holdsworth has no concerns about missing out on a co-drive for 2023.
In a snippet of a long and revealing chat in the latest edition of AUTO ACTION magazine, Holdsworth confirmed his 2023 plans are set in stone.
THE ARRIVAL of Garth Tander to Grove Racing means it is highly likely Lee Holdsworth will not remain at the Ford squad as a co-driver following his recent retirement from full-time driving.
After 510 races since his debut at Sandown 2004 in the recognisable Smith’s Trucks VY Commodore, Holdsworth hung up the helmet for the final time as a full-time driver at the VALO Adelaide 500.
He did so in style after a fighting drive from 22nd to ninth in his #10 Penrite Ford Mustang, but shortly after the final lap and being a popular winner of the Barry Sheene Medal, questions started to point towards his racing future.
Holdsworth will be taking a step back from racing next year and turn his focus to taking on the realestate world, but that will not stop him from chasing another Peter Brock Trophy win.
“Leethal” confirmed he will be racing next year with a deal already being signed despite the Tander revelation.
“I’ve signed a deal to come back next year and fight for the Bathurst 1000 again, and also now the Sandown 500 as well, I am really excited about that opportunity,” he told AUTO ACTION.
“That’s what’s so great. You can give up on full-time racing and still come back and in some way give yourself another opportunity to win the greatest race in the country.”
There are plenty of rumours suggesting Lee Holdsworth will return to the team he won the 2021 Bathurst 1000 with, Walkinshaw Andretti United, next year.
There has been wide-spread speculation Holdsworth could be returning to the team where he achieved his high watermark of winning the 2021 Bathurst 1000 in dominant style with Chaz Mostert.
But when pressed if his confirmed co-drive is at Walkinshaw Andretti United, he remained tight lipped.
“You can guess, but I won’t be able to give you an answer,” he said.
This year WAU had Fabian Coulthard and stalwart Warren Luff complete co-driving duties and the latter is likely to stay having been announced in a driver development role in the team’s Super2 programme.
But one thing is for certain, 2022 was not Holdsworth’s final act in Supercars.
Hear more from Holdsworth about his emotional final weekend and winning an unexpected Barry Sheene Medal by buying the latest issue of AUTO ACTION or purchasing the digital magazine here.
AUTO ACTION, Australia’s independent voice of motorsport.
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