HSV is here to stay

The future of Holden Special Vehicles is secure despite the passing of owner Tom Walkinshaw in the UK earlier this week.

HSV managing director Phil Harding, a long-time friend of Walkinshaw, told the Carsales Network this morning that the company would continue.

"While it is a difficult time for everyone here at HSV, it is business as usual," he said. "I just returned from visiting Tom last Wednesday in the UK, where I presented to him our future plans, and he was very pleased with where the company was heading."

Harding said the running of HSV will be unaffected: "The company is actually owned by the Walkinshaw family trust and therefore the ownership has not changed." Walkinshaw's wife Martine and their two sons Ryan and Sean are custodians of that trust.

The Carsales Network understands that when Holden renewed HSV's contract with Walkinshaw in 2007 there was a clause added that secured the future of HSV beyond Walkinshaw's lifetime.

A statement issued by HSV quoted Harding as saying: "While these events are moments to reflect and grieve, it is important to remember that it is the continuation and success of the business that will serve as the best way of honouring Tom's memory, and we know this was his desire and the desire of his family."

Holden sales and marketing director, John Elsworth, told the Carsales Network this morning: "There is no issue. The business will continue. And I'd have to say I think Tom has left a fantastic legacy both at HSV and HRT."

Walkinshaw most recently visited Australia last September, and his health appeared to be improving, Harding said.

"I think his passing came as a shock to all of us," he said. "Tom is such a tough guy, you thought nothing could stop him."

As recently as a few years ago, Walkinshaw visited HSV in Australia 16 times in one year, but his trips Down Under became less frequent as his health deteriorated. Instead, he and Harding spoke on the phone several times weekly and Harding flew to the UK to report on the business.

Harding has worked for Walkinshaw's group of companies for more than 15 years, after he was head-hunted from Rolls-Royce to run Walkinshaw's road-car programs, which included at the time the Aston Martin DB7 and Volvo C70 convertible.

Harding first came to HSV in 2002 on a nine month assignment to head engineering, but stayed on and became the managing director of the company in 2006. But in 2007 he went to the UK to run HSV's export division, before returning in mid-2008 to resume the MD's role at HSV.

As the news broke yesterday, tributes to Walkinshaw flowed in. The head of HSV and HRT's racing operations, Craig Wilson, who has worked for Walkinshaw for 20 years, said in a statement: "As we all know, Tom was very passionate about motor racing and he achieved much success as a driver and team owner in his lifetime.

"Those who know Tom know a tremendous competitor. But having worked for him for over 20 years I also know him as someone with amazing entrepreneurial spirit and someone with real insight into this business.

"He will be sadly missed, but we owe it to him to continue the success we have enjoyed under his watchful eye," he said.

Holden Chairman and Managing Director Mike Devereux said in a statement: "For more than 20 years Tom's pursuit of excellence helped forge our brand's reputation as a performance leader both on and off the track through the creation of Holden Special Vehicles and the Holden Racing Team. His contribution not only to Holden, but the automotive industry is legendary and will never be forgotten."

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