Sports · Motorsport · 1 hr ago
Skaife’s ‘Golden Child’ Commodore returns to the track
Mark Skaife’s Holden Commodore is back on track for a shakedown at Sydney Motorsport Park after a mechanical refresh.
The car, known as “Golden Child,” was bought last year by PremiAir Racing owner Peter Xiberras and is now in its 2003 specification.
Skaife drove it to two Supercars titles and Bathurst 1000 wins, establishing its place in Australian touring-car history.
The car’s engine has been swapped with the one from another Holden, reuniting each car with the V8 that powered it to victory at Mount Panorama.
Xiberras plans to drive Golden Child in an Adelaide demonstration at the Supercars finale, on Sunday.
The appearance will be its return to the Adelaide circuit, where it last won a major race, and its final run on the current layout.
After several events next year, the car is due to return to its VX form, the specification in which it won Bathurst twice.
Mark Skaife’s Holden Racing Team Commodore known as “Golden Child” is undergoing a shakedown at Sydney Motorsport Park after a mechanical refresh.
The car is set to feature in Touring Car Legends demonstrations at the Supercars finale, with Peter Xiberras due to drive it in Adelaide.
Skaife raced the car from midway through the 2001 season and used it to win two consecutive Supercars Championship titles and Bathurst 1000 victories.
The car is currently in its 2003 VY specification, but is planned to be converted back to its original VX specification after several events next year.
- Who
- The “Golden Child” Holden Commodore, purchased by PremiAir Racing owner Peter Xiberras.
- What
- The car is undergoing a shakedown after a mechanical refresh and is set to appear in Touring Car Legends demonstrations.
- When
- It was undergoing the shakedown on November 15, 2026. The demonstrations are planned for the Supercars finale.
- Where
- Sydney Motorsport Park; the car is also set to appear in a demonstration in Adelaide.
- Why
- To prepare the car for demonstrations and return it to use after a mechanical refresh.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Skaife began racing the car, originally built as a VX model.
The car was upgraded to VY specification.
The car was retired from race duties.
Skaife made a final appearance in the car at Surfers Paradise.
Xiberras purchased the car in a multi-car deal.
The car underwent a shakedown at Sydney Motorsport Park following a mechanical refresh.
- Current specification
- 2003 VY
- Shakedown venue
- Sydney Motorsport Park
- Demonstration
- Touring Car Legends at the Supercars finale
- Driver in Adelaide
- Peter Xiberras
- Original model
- VX
- Bathurst victories
- Two consecutive victories with Skaife |
What people are saying
It’s quite well known that the two cars had the incorrect engines in them
John Vergotis and I have swapped the engines over as part of giving this car a full powertrain refresh
Pete will drive it in the demonstration on the Sunday in Adelaide
It’s going to be special to bring the car back to where it had its last big victory, especially as this is the last time we will be running on the current Adelaide circuit