Unlike the majority of his current competitors Monster´s Lee Holdsworth has experienced an unusual but appropriate apprenticeship in the one make Commodore Cup Series before stepping into V8 Supercars. Since his surfacing into the V8 Supercar field he has rapidly emerged as one of Holden’s true young talents.
The traditional path that drivers follow to make there way into a V8 Supercar is to develop their race craft and driving skills in a Formula Ford after starting their motor racing career in Go-Kart racing. After beginning in go-karting at the age of seven at Ipswich Kart Club Holdsworth began racing in Commodore Cup in 2002 at 17 years of age. In just his first year Lee was the highest placed Rookie finishing 5th in the championship and 3rd in the following year.
In 2004, Holdsworth earned himself an invitation to drive in the V8 Development Series with Smiths Trucks Racing after he offered voluntary assistance to help the team throughout the 2001 and 2002 season. After a stint in the V8 Development Series in 2004 and the odd round in 2005, he was signed by Garry Rogers Motorsport to contest the endurance events in the main series in 2005 before being invited back at Phillip Island’s season finale to drive the second car. After a successful run Holdsworth was signed up by the Garry Rogers Team on a full time basis for the following year.
Holdsworth’s promotion to the premier league in Australian motor sport was a leap of faith on the part of team boss Garry Rogers, who had spotted the youngster’s talent long before it became obvious to the rest of the V8 paddock. In 2006, his rookie year Holdsworth had a couple of distinguished drives finishing 6th at both Oran Park and the Sandown 500.
Using the established VZ Commodore in the early rounds of 2007, Holdsworth proved himself to be a top ten contender. With a handful of top ten qualifyings and race results he was quickly established as one of the champions of the future. He only received a VE Commodore, the first new chassis of his racing career, in round 7 and the following round broke through for his maiden round win at Oran Park in convincing fashion at the Jim Beam 400 on his way to several top 10 finishes and 15th placing for the season.
In 2008, Holdsworth led the Garry Rogers Motorsport Team towards fighting for the V8 Supercar crown after an impressive start to the year. A second place in the opening round at Adelaide was an obvious highlight, as the Melbourne based racer narrowly missed a top 10 finish in the championship.
2009 was his fourth consecutive full season with GRM, partnering Michael Caruso. He continued to impress, driving the GRM car to 3 podium results, the most impressive being a 3rd position at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000. He accomplished his goal of finishing top 10 in the championship and with the inclusion of an experienced engineer, Richard Hollway, 2010 is sure to be his best year yet.
With his eagerness to win and continuing improvement in speed and ability he has earned himself the reputation as a champion of the future in the V8 Supercar paddock.
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