HDT Special Vehicles are sponsoring a brand new two car team at this years' Targa Tasmania. The official start of the Targa Tasmania event is 27th April 2010 in Launceston and ends in Hobart on May 2nd.  Piloting the two new HDT cars are Todd Zani from TJ Motorsport and Paul Davies from Melville Holden, both from Western Australia. Both are experienced Targa competitors who are thrilled to be taking the HDT name back into racing.

Paul has previously driven the HDT VC/VE Retro Commodore at Targa West 2008/2009 and also in the Targa Tasmania 2009.  This year Paul will be competing in a brand new HDT VH/VE Retro  Commodore. Todd Zani owns and operates TJ Motorsport, and has successfully finished Targa Tasmania and Targa West in 2009 in 20th position. Todd has also competed in the Bathurst 12 hour in 2009, taking out 19th position. Tood will take to the road in the brand new HDT VK/VE Retro Commodore.  Both cars will carry the striking HDT livery similar to Brock's highly successful 1984 VK Big Banger.

Peter Champion, HDT Special Vehicles owner and his team will be accompanying the team around Tassie for the Targa.  Along with the brand new flag ship vehicle, the VK Retrol 'Blue Meanie', they will also be bringing with them one of Brocks' MHDT Commodores and some other great pieces on display from Champions Brock Experience, based in Yeppoon.  HDT will be holding a Team Launch event on Monday 26th April, at Simmons Plains, all are welcome to come along and check out the new race cars on the track..  So if you are in Tasmania between 25th April to 3rd May, 2010 keep an eye on our website for full details of where we will be and make sure you come and say hello to PC and the team. You can get a first-hand look at the new Blue Meanie.

 Todds' VH ready for competition, see right. 

Along with Champions Brock Experience, HDT Special Vehicles were offered the opportunity to display our new road cars and the sensational Top Gear Live shows. The forecourt of the arena was filled with various displays and HDT were very proud to be featured right near the main entry. The VK Blue Meanie along with the new VK Group A in both white and silver and the red VH Retro drew a very interested crowd throughout the 4 days. Champions Brock Experience also displayed three of their cars from the collection in the Bathurst Legends Display proudly sponsored by Shannons Insurance.

HDTs' new car display at Top Gear, see right

The interest in the VK Blue Meanie is still going strong, with current orders keeping the HDT staff on their toes. The continued press coverage from Motor, Top Gear and Street Machine Commodores has certainly kept the Blue Meanie name on everyones' lips. We are confident of fulfilling our full compliment of 250 vehicles. One of the strongest markets for new car sales has been Western Australia, where it appears the effects of the GFC haven't been as hard felt as in some other areas of the country.  The newly-introduced 4 seat interior has also been a winner for many customers. Owner Peter Champion was on hand recently to deliver a Blue Meanie to its proud new owner in Perth.

Alan Letcher takes delivery of his new Blue Meanie (see right)

Saturday 27th March, 2010 saw the official launch of our HDT Performance Dealer in Wagga Wagga. Redline AutoTech will be servicing and providing performance upgrades for HDT regional customers. Owner Paul Heydon and associate Howard Brown are both passionate about the HDT brand and will be striving to provide excellent service and products to this new regional marketplace. The VK Blue Meanie along with the newly complete VK Group 3 were on display at the launch and we will look forward to sharing some more news from the night in our next issue.  Welcome aboard!

Our Blue Meanie has made its fourth magazine cover since its release in October 2009. Wheels magazine have it featured on the front cover with the Walkinshaw E2 Supercar.

The six page articles has mixed reviews, with both cars presenting pros and cons. Here are some of the comments contained in the article.

"the HDT makes the Walky feel less, well, just less. Stepping back into the green machine will later feel like somebody's turned off two cylinders."

"the Formula Blue exterior and white Aero wheels ensure the Blue Meanie turns more heads wherever we go'"

"If the Walkinshaw's brutal thrust is like a Wallabies crash tackle, the HDT adds the All Blacks for good measure'"

An interesting comparison - Wheels Magazine is out on the stands now.