Australian author Luke West to launch 'Supercars: The Holden vs Ford Era

However, with Holdens no longer in production, and the brand set to disappear entirely from the Supercars Championship after this year, the once proud sporting rivalry appears to have reached it conclusion.

READ ALSO: Bathurst RSL Club to host The John Lennon Songbook on August 28

But there will always be the memories, and Australian motoring historian Luke West will release a photography book next Wednesday detailing the supercharged three-decade motor racing rivalry between the cracking Commodores and fearsome Falcons [later the menacing Mustangs].

Supercars: The Holden vs Ford Era 1993-2020 features a detailed account of every season between the aforementioned years.

"The book tracks the development of the V8 class from its humble Australian Touring Car Championship beginning to its present day status as one of the country's most loved sporting contests," Mr West said.

"Throughout the tenure of the Ford-Holden rivalry, endurance races such as the Bathurst 1000 became part of the Supercars Championship, and AVESCO's takeover of the touring car championship into a premier commercial sporting entity."

READ ALSO: Secrets of the Store at Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum

Mr West said the Ford vs Holden era gave rise to some of Australia's most iconic motor racing identities, including Craig Lowndes, Garth Tander and Jamie Whincup, who gradually succeeded historic greats such as Peter Brock, Dick Johnson and Jim Richards.

"The era also marked the emergence of street circuits, and turned Australian motor racing into a more visible springboard for certain drivers [such as Marcos Ambrose and Scott McLaughlin] to compete overseas," he said.

"It goes to show the last three decades have proved pivotal in producing world-class talent."

Mr West said the book will help celebrate the legacy of the Ford-Holden rivalry as Supercars prepares to enter its new Gen3 era in 2022, with the American Chevrolet brand largely set to replace Holden.

READ ALSO: Bathurst Winter Festival illumination adds work by Birrunga Wiradyuri

"Supercars is at a very critical point in its history, having to deal with the demise of the Australian car industry and the shrinking of the passenger car market," he said.

"With the future electrification of road cars, it's difficult to see what the medium to long-term future will look like for Supercars, you need to be Nostradamus to determine what will happen."

Supercars: The Holden vs Ford Era 1993-2020, featuring over 150 full colour photographs, will be released on Wednesday, July 7, and will be published by Gelding Street Press.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: