HSV dealt strong hand for 2006.

If driver contract extensions, new sponsor deals and fresh Holden Motorsport- spec Commodores were a key to starting the V8 Supercar Championship well, then the Toll HSV Dealer Team would have three aces to play at the opening round of the championship.

The Clayton based outfit has announced that lead driver and 2000 Bathurst winner Garth Tander would continue driving for the team until the end of 2007.
The deal represents a significant victory for the team, with Tander being one of the standout drivers of 2005 and remaining one of the best all-rounders in the series, the contract extension represents stability in the squad's driving group - a rare commodity in today's series.

"I joined this team because I wanted to win races, I knew before I came here that it was a thoroughly professional organisation, and that they would be able to deliver cars capable of winning races," said Tander.

"But it has been a bonus that they are a great bunch of guys to work with, and I am delighted to be working with them for an extra season at least."

With two brand new Commodores replacing the 2004-specification Holden Racing Team cars, the Toll HSV Dealer Team looks in its best pre-season shape for several years. Likely to be a frontrunning team battling with other frontrunners such as Stone Brothers Racing, Team Betta Electrical and the Holden Racing team, the Toll HSVDT will debut its new package in Adelaide.

"We are far in advance of where we were this time last year - all of our sponsors are on board, our new cars are under advanced preparation and all members of the team are experienced in the team environment," said team manager Rob Crawford.

"Garth has had a year under his belt with the team, and as we saw in several of the rounds late last season, he and Rick are back running at the front and scoring podiums."

The Toll HSV Dealer Team has also scored a victory over long-time rivals Stone Brothers Racing, by signing their former sponsor Pirtek as a new racing partner.

After securing two V8 Supercar Championships with Marcos Ambrose in 2003 and 2004, Pirtek last year elected to leave Stone Brothers Racing after an eight year partnership which was also graced with a Bathurst victory in 1998.

"Pirtek has been such an integral part of V8 Supercar racing for many years, and it is fantastic that it has decided to continue its links with the sport by throwing its support behind our team," says team owner John Kelly.