Kenny Habul takes HDT to Bathurst, with museums and new cars planned
The new Holden Dealer Team owner wants a Bathurst base, restorations and museums. The larger Mount Panorama project still needs decisions.
Verified brief
The story in 60 seconds
Kenny Habul has acquired HDT and outlined plans for a Bathurst operation, heritage museums and reworked Commodores. A permanent Mount Panorama site is not yet confirmed.
This brief and the full story below are based on the disclosed sources. SearchTrends Daily’s interpretation appears later under “Our take.”
Full reporting
The complete story
Kenny Habul, the Australian-born racing driver and businessman, has bought the Holden Dealer Team and HDT Special Vehicles brands. Supercars reported the acquisition before the Bathurst 1000, where HDT branding appeared on Garry Rogers Motorsport’s wildcard Camaro. On Monday, Habul outlined a much larger future for the historic name at a Bathurst announcement.
In an interview with WhichCar by Wheels, Habul said he wants a Bathurst headquarters that restores and upgrades existing HDT Holdens, develops modern reworked Commodores, and houses HDT and Holden museums. He told the publication the business had already moved from Sydney to rented premises in nearby Kelso and was working on three prototypes. The permanent Mount Panorama site he has identified is still subject to talks with local government; he said Sydney remains an alternative if Bathurst plans do not work out.
The sale price was not disclosed in the reporting reviewed. Nor has a construction approval, opening date or production schedule been confirmed. Those distinctions matter because an acquisition is complete, while most of the headline attractions are proposals.
Source perspectives
What other reporting adds
These are the reports, official records, and trend observations used to build the story. The note under each link explains exactly what it contributes.
Firsthand October 12 interview with Kenny Habul about rented Kelso premises, planned Bathurst site, museums and prototype cars.
Read original source ↗SupercarsGRM Bathurst Camaro unveiled, HDT returnsOfficial motorsport coverage confirming Habul’s HDT purchase, Bathurst branding and the team’s historical record.
Read original source ↗WhichCar by WheelsPeter Brock protégé takes ownership of iconic Holden Dealer TeamSeptember 28 background reporting on the ownership transfer from Peter Champion and HDT Special Vehicles history.
Read original source ↗SearchTrends Daily opinion
Our take
Analysis
What the evidence and search signal suggest
Habul’s immediate move into rented Kelso premises gives the plan a tangible starting point. The scope he describes goes much further: a permanent site, two museums and new vehicle work. The project’s timeline should be judged by site agreement, approvals, building work and delivered cars, not by the launch announcement alone.
Analysis and commentary are SearchTrends Daily’s interpretation. They are intentionally separated from the sourced account above.
Meaning
Why this matters
HDT is closely tied to Peter Brock and Bathurst racing history. A viable restoration business and public museums could preserve that heritage and draw interest to Bathurst. But the proposed facilities and new cars require investment, approvals and execution before fans can visit or buy them.
Background
How we got here
The Holden Dealer Team name became a major part of Australian touring car racing and Peter Brock’s road-car legacy. Supercars says HDT has nine Bathurst wins, eight with Brock. Previous owner Peter Champion revived HDT Special Vehicles after buying the brand in 2007, according to WhichCar’s earlier ownership report. Habul is a two-time Bathurst 12 Hour winner.
Outlook
What is likely to happen next
Watch for a formal Bathurst site agreement, planning steps, a firmer construction timetable and details of the three prototypes Habul says are underway. No opening or delivery date is established in the available sources.
A conditional editorial assessment based on the evidence available at the review date, not a guaranteed outcome.
Live record
Updates to this story
No material updates yet.
Commentary
What we think
Our view: a heritage name earns a future through careful stewardship of the original cars and transparent plans for new ones. HDT’s Bathurst links make the location compelling, but fans should see the museums and new models as ambitions until they exist. Hero image: original AI-generated editorial illustration of an unbranded vintage touring car; it is not an HDT vehicle photograph.