Video: Holden Racing Team's Mark Skaife Drives The HSV W427

[JoeT]

Mark His Words: Skaife On The HSV W427

Joshua Dowling
28 July 2008
www.drive.com.au

With a 7.0-litre V8, V8 Supercar driver Mark Skaife thinks the HSV W427 could be quicker than some race cars.

Holden V8 Supercar driver Mark Skaife helped put the finishing touches on the fastest car Holden Special Vehicles has ever made but he is in the queue along with everyone else who has paid a deposit for one.

"Customers come first, then we get our [company] cars but at least I've already been able to drive it," he says.

The five-time Bathurst winner and part-time HSV test driver was involved with the development of the W427 and has tested the car on race tracks and Holden's proving ground.

Click here to continue article

Drive.com.au Video: Mark Skaife Drives The HSV W427
CarsGuide.com.au Video: Mark Skaife Drives The HSV W427
First Drive: HSV W427 - Australia's Most Powerful Performance Vehicle Yet!

HRT's Mark Skaife and the HSV W427

[jbernie]

Just watched the video as I am always checking the Drive/SMH websites. Didn't get to really hear the engine but the other article where the journo said he was standing in the pits when one went by and the person on the other end was asking why the Holden racecars were there gives a good indication.

AUS$155,000, I think I could cope with one... or two....

[NZ_HOLDEN_FAN]

That car is the best looking holden ever i was hoping it would of been faster. now when are they gonna do a limited edtion gts-r with a fully blown ls9 and not detuned and why havn't hsv used the pontiac g8 bonnet yet. if they do a ls9 version or a twin turbo ls7 they need to do a proper race version w427 front,side exit exhausts like what they have in v8supercars and it should have only 4 carbon fiber seats and a roll cage it it and racing inspired dails & stearing wheel and all of them signed by the one and only Mark Skaife

Mark Skaife your a legend now when are you gonna test it around the Nurburgring and send it to the uk for the top gear race track

hsv should be sending 10 of them to the uk and 10 to the middle east

[jbernie]

Originally Posted by NZ_HOLDEN_FAN

they need to do a proper race version w427 front,side exit exhausts like what they have in v8supercars

Unfortunately no can do, as with the Coupe 60 concept the side exhausts, at least for Australia, are a no go as they do meet the design regulations. There maybe an exemption somewhere for a limited production model but I can't be sure. There are a few Dodge Vipers down there with side exhausts so they are somehow approved, but maybe if built in Australia it must meet all local regulations regardless.

[eb110americana]

Don't get me wrong, if I could travel or relocate anywhere in the world (and I'll probably be doing one or the other in the next few years) I'd go to Australia. I love the scenery, the plethora of RWD muscle cars and utes, the weather, the fun-loving attitude--it all sounds great and makes me want to see what it's like in person. I also really admire how much Holden and Ford have been able to do with so little in their home market. It really is a labor of love to keep that kind of RWD performance alive when the rest of the world has abandoned it in all but the most luxurious corners of the market.

I don't see eye-to-eye with the styling tastes down under, where ultra-conservative seems to be the predominant style, and then when expression does finally make its way to the surface, it comes off as unrefined and immature in such cases as most HSVs, especially the mug on this one. It really looks like something from the mind of a 15 year old, yet will surely be driven by more 50 year olds (especially considering the price). But to each his/her own, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that.

What I actually started out to say was that only Drive.com.au could make a track run in a RWD, 7.0L V8, 503 hp, 472 lb. ft. torque monster with a race car driver at the wheel this...boring. It seems every article I read from down there puts me to sleep. So to our Aussie brothers and sisters, I say WTF? Please explain this to me. Is it just lost in translation, or does Aussie media suck that hard?

I should say, I am fully aware that American periodicals are pretty pathetic as well (especially over the last 5 years). Road & Track isn't bad, but is a bit more refined at the expense of at the edge performance. Motor Trend couldn't get a performance spec right to save its life and has never heard of spell checker (not to mention heaping loads of Angus McKenzie-brand bias). Car & Driver seems to just make stuff up, the list goes on...

[OzStrat]

Originally Posted by eb110americana

Don't get me wrong, if I could travel or relocate anywhere in the world (and I'll probably be doing one or the other in the next few years) I'd go to Australia. I love the scenery, the plethora of RWD muscle cars and utes, the weather, the fun-loving attitude--it all sounds great and makes me want to see what it's like in person. I also really admire how much Holden and Ford have been able to do with so little in their home market. It really is a labor of love to keep that kind of RWD performance alive when the rest of the world has abandoned it in all but the most luxurious corners of the market.

I don't see eye-to-eye with the styling tastes down under, where ultra-conservative seems to be the predominant style, and then when expression does finally make its way to the surface, it comes off as unrefined and immature in such cases as most HSVs, especially the mug on this one. It really looks like something from the mind of a 15 year old, yet will surely be driven by more 50 year olds (especially considering the price). But to each his/her own, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that.

What I actually started out to say was that only Drive.com.au could make a track run in a RWD, 7.0L V8, 503 hp, 472 lb. ft. torque monster with a race car driver at the wheel this...boring. It seems every article I read from down there puts me to sleep. So to our Aussie brothers and sisters, I say WTF? Please explain this to me. Is it just lost in translation, or does Aussie media suck that hard?

I should say, I am fully aware that American periodicals are pretty pathetic as well (especially over the last 5 years). Road & Track isn't bad, but is a bit more refined at the expense of at the edge performance. Motor Trend couldn't get a performance spec right to save its life and has never heard of spell checker (not to mention heaping loads of Angus McKenzie-brand bias). Car & Driver seems to just make stuff up, the list goes on...

Nah, it's all the same. Terrible really.

Bear in mind Mark Skaiffe is not a journalist and obviously a lousy salesman. Not a bad race driver though. Lack of a 2nd camera killed it.

[mikmak]

Yes. That was a boring as bat **** vid. Where's the flair? Where's the noise?
As far as media in general, most mainstream media is hesitant at promoting automotive pursiuts in ny way besides mundane. Every show (I'm looking at you TESTDRIVE) a dumbed down infommercial, every review a fluff piece. You have to head into the specialised magazines to get any real passion. Wheels is fairly good (and does better at reviewing everyday vehicles). MOTOR is far more passionate but doesn't have a website. I guess you'll just have to subscribe

[Slick_Holden]

Wheres the VY 2 series drift! He did?.