The ‘Garth Tander Trophy’ will be awarded to the winner of the Project Blueprint V8 Supercar class at the inaugural Kumho Tyre V8 Sleuth Touring Car Classic.
Tander was one of the standouts of the early years of the Project Blueprint era, winning 34 races from 2003 to 2008 with the HSV Dealer Team and Holden Racing Team, more than any other driver in that period.
The class at August’s Classic is open to drivers of BA and BF Falcons and VY and VZ Commodores.
“Having a trophy named in your honour is not something you normally expect in your career, but it’s a really nice acknowledgement,” said Tander, now a Pirtek Enduro Cup co-driver for the Red Bull Holden Racing Team.
“That period of time in the mid to late 2000s was really rewarding with a lot of race wins and, of course, the ultimate achievement of claiming the championship in 2007.
“I had no idea I had the most race wins for the period of 2003 to 2008, so that was a welcome surprise too.
“I think it’s fantastic that these older V8 Supercars are being wheeled out for the Classic. There are a lot of very passionate owners and drivers that are keeping the history of our sport alive; it’s really important.”
The car with which then-team-mate Rick Kelly won the 2006 championship, to be raced by Ben Eggleston, has already been confirmed for the class while a former Dick Johnson Racing AU Falcon will run in the pre-Project Blueprint class.
Super Tourers, V8 Future Tourers, and other invited cars are also eligible for the event, which takes place with Shannons Nationals at Winton on August 31-September 1.
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