The road to 1000 for what is now Walkinshaw TWG

WALKINSHAW TWG Racing will this week become the second team in ATCC/Supercars Championship history to hit the 1000-race milestone.

The occasion will come this Thursday March 5 in the opening race of the Melbourne SuperSprint at Albert Park, propelling the Victorian squad into esteemed company currently occupied only by Dick Johnson Racing.

V8 Sleuth looks back at the journey to this point for an outfit that was long known as the Holden Racing Team, and in more recent years has tried its hand with Ford and now Toyota.

HRT’s first race came as a single-car squad with Win Percy at the wheel, at Amaroo Park in 1990. Pic: an1images.com / Graeme Neander

While not a championship race, HRT did breakthrough for victory in the 1990 Bathurst 1000 courtesy of Win Percy and Allan Grice. Pic: an1images.com / Graeme Neander

HRT’s first ATCC round podiums came in 1993 via Tomas Mezera. Pic: an1images.com / Dirk Klynsmith

It was Peter Brock who gave HRT its first championship race win, at Eastern Creek 1994. Pic: an1images.com / Rod Eime

Peter Brock won on his 50th birthday at Symmons Plains 1995. Pic: an1images.com / Graeme Neander

Craig Lowndes won two races in the first round of his rookie season, Eastern Creek 1996. Pic: an1images.com / Graeme Neander

…And went on to seal the title, celebrated with a skid. Pic: an1images.com / Dirk Klynsmith

Craig Lowndes and Greg Murphy capped the year with Bathurst 1000 victory. Pic: an1images.com / Graeme Neander

Greg Murphy got off to a flyer in 1997 at Calder. Pic: an1images.com / Graeme Neander

Mark Skaife notched his first HRT win at Phillip Island 1998. Pic: an1images.com / Graeme Neander

But it was Lowndesy doing another championship burnout at the end of year. Pic: an1images.com / Graeme Neander

Craig Lowndes made it three titles from three attempts when he got the job done in 1999. Pic: an1images.com / Dirk Klynsmith

The pendulum swung Mark Skaife’s way in 2000. Pic: an1images.com / Dirk Klynsmith

Mark Skaife kept the good times rolling in 2001, as the VX Commodore was deployed. Pic: an1images.com / Graeme Neander

Mark Skaife and Tony Longhurst after winning the 2001 Great Race. Pic: an1images.com / Graeme Neander

Jason Bright was responsible for HRT’s 100th championship race win, achieved at Darwin 2002. Pic: an1images.com / Graeme Neander

Mark Skaife and Jim Richards won the 2002 Bathurst 1000. Pic: an1images.com / Graeme Neander

Skaifey completes his title three-peat. Pic: an1images.com / Graeme Neander

No championships in 2003, but a Sandown 500 win for Mark Skaife and Todd Kelly. Pic: an1images.com / Graeme Neander

HRT swept China 2005, with two wins for Todd Kelly and one for Mark Skaife. Pic: an1images.com / Justin Deeley

Skaife and Kelly then combined to win the 2005 Bathurst 1000. Pic: an1images.com / Justin Deeley

Todd Kelly christened the VE Commodore in style at Adelaide 2007. Pic: an1images.com / Justin Deeley

Garth Tander swept the inaugural Hamilton round, in 2008. Pic: an1images.com / Justin Deeley

Garth Tander and Will Davison clinched the Peter Brock Trophy in 2009. Pic: an1images.com / Justin Deeley

James Courtney brought the #1 across for 2011 and tasted victory in his first round with the team. Pic: an1images.com / Justin Deeley

Garth Tander and Nick Percat conquered the Mountain in 2011. Pic: an1images.com / Justin Deeley

It was a tough start to the COTF era for HRT, until Garth Tander and James Courtney delivered a Townsville 1-2 in 2013. Pic: an1images.com / Justin Deeley