VT Commodore

The Holden VT Commodore was an all-new-bodied Group 3A / V8 Supercar raced from 1998 to 2000, replacing the VS Commodore and succeeded by the closely related VX Commodore for 2001. It was developed by the Holden Racing Team, and this page describes the selected final post-mid-2000 package, excluding the temporary parity cut that was applied and reversed during 2000.

Development

The first VT race car — HRT's Car #1 — debuted at Calder on 21 June 1998, late in a season the older VS was still winning. Early cars reportedly ran VS-style aerodynamics before the definitive VT package was developed through 1998–99, with bodyshell fabrication by Dencar. The figures below are documented from the Holden Racing Team's own 2000 records and are the HRT build — not universal to every VT.

Body & aero

The VT was the first clean-sheet racing Commodore body of the Group 3A era. Its signature change was a narrower, higher rear wing on widely spaced posts with a cross-brace strut — reportedly around 15% less area than the VR/VS centre-post wing — over the mandated front spoiler and inverted-wing undertray.

Engine & driveline

HRT ran a Holden Motor Sport 5.0-litre fuel-injected V8 (HRT-developed heads, intake and exhaust; MoTeC management) making around 600 bhp at the regulated 7500 rpm, through a Holinger six-speed to a 9-inch live rear axle. The engine is recorded as Holden's own 5.0-litre; the timing of any move to a Chevrolet-based small-block is disputed (CON-006). Suspension was a MacPherson-strut front (externally adjustable gas inserts, adjustable camber) and, for the first time on a racing Commodore, a live rear axle located by four-link parallel arms and a Watts link — full-floating, centre-lock, with adjustable camber and toe. Anti-roll bars front and rear were cockpit-adjustable. Minimum weight was 1350 kg on a 120-litre cell.

Brakes, wheels & tyres

The HRT car used ventilated 370 mm front / 340 mm rear discs with Harrop six- and four-piston calipers, and O.Z. 17×11 magnesium wheels — but these are the works fitment; brake make and wheel supplier varied by team. Tyres were the Bridgestone control (285/40 R17) introduced for 1999.

Evolution

The VT gave way to the VX Commodore for 2001 — a distinct car that shared much of the VT's package without being merged into it.

For its championship record see the 1998, 1999 and 2000 seasons. Sources: HRT Facts Book 2000 for the technical package (facts only; held privately) — Grade B; VT aero and the engine-transition dispute (CON-006) — Grade D.