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Tander down but not out over Walkinshaw decision

Garth Tander admits he is disappointed with Walkinshaw Racing’s decision to not re-sign him for the 2017 season, but says he’ll be “racing next year” despite today’s announcement.

Garth Tander, Holden Racing Team

Garth Tander, Holden Racing Team

Dirk Klynsmith

Race winner Garth Tander, Holden Racing Team
Podium: race winners Garth Tander and Warren Luff, Holden Racing Team
Race winners Garth Tander and Warren Luff, Holden Racing Team celebrate with the team
Podium: race winners Garth Tander and Warren Luff, Holden Racing Team
Race winners Garth Tander and Warren Luff, Holden Racing Team
Race winners Garth Tander and Warren Luff, Holden Racing Team
Garth Tander and Warren Luff, Holden Racing Team
Garth Tander and Warren Luff, Holden Racing Team
Garth Tander and Warren Luff, Holden Racing Team, Cameron Waters and Jack Le Brocq, Prodrive Racing Australia

Fresh off the back of winning the Sandown 500, Tander has now been informed that there will be no room for him in the Walkinshaw Racing set-up once the Holden Racing Team deal comes to an end at the conclusion of the 2017 season.

Speaking to Motorsport.com, Tander admitted that he’s been left saddened by WR’s decision to not renew his contract. But he also says he is not planning on retirement, and that he has “a fair idea” what he’ll be doing for the 2017 season.

“Where we are right now, I’m quite disappointed and quite sad with the decision,” said Tander.

“Clearly Ryan [Walkinshaw] needs to make some decision and changes on the back of losing the Holden money, and this is clearly a change that they’ve made. And I’m pretty sure there will be more changes in the future.

“From a driving point of view, it doesn’t change anything for me at all. Driving is all I’ve ever done, and nothing is going to change that.

“The last nine years. being a factory Holden driver has been an honour, and something that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. There have been a lot of highlights and a lot of lowlights, but I’ll certainly look back at theist nine years as a factory Holden driver with fond memories.

“Now we continue forward. I’ll be racing next year, that’s all I want to continue to do. We’ll finish the year off as strongly as possible, and certainly be trying to get car #2 a couple more race wins.

“The announcement has no impact on anything I alluded to over the course of the [Sandown] weekend. I’ve got a fair idea of where we’re headed, but right now I’m just focussed on Bathurst.”

Sandown 500 win satisfying

Tander took the team’s second race win of the season last Sunday, securing the prestigious Sandown 500 title alongside co-driver Warren Luff.

In the wake of today’s announcement, he says the situation makes the win even more special.

“I always felt that if I was given a car that was capable and given the right opportunities, I was capable of running at the front with those guys. So there’s no relief or anything like that,” he said.

“It’s probably made it feel a little bit sweeter, to be honest. The sad thing is the first time I was in the office at Clayton after winning the Sandown 500, I was being told I am no longer required.

“I’ll look back at that race win in the future with a lot of satisfaction.”

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