Take a trip down memory lane as we look at the impact Holden made on Australian motorsport Holden fans celebrating the good times, Bathurst 2012. DECEMBER 11, 2013 will forever be a black day in the hearts and minds of many car lovers around our fair nation. It was the day Holden confirmed it would stop building cars in Australia. Spare a thought for the real casualties of this decision, the fine men and women - the heartbeat of Holden - who are losing their jobs, and those in the manufacturing industry who will suffer in due course. But, with all the sadness around the impending loss of an Aussie icon, let's remember the good times. We don't have to think too far back for their most recent triumphs, Holden notching up this year's V8 drivers, teams and manufacturer's titles ... Whincup and Red Bull, 2013 V8 Supercars champions. ... as well as the Holden Commodore's 400th race win. Shane Van Gisbergen notched up Commodore's 400th V8 win on Sunday. Not that Commodore's very first win feels that long ago. Brock, Philip and Richards celebrate winning the 1979 Repco Round Australia Trial. From the very first model, the 48-215, Aussies young and old would tinker away in the shed to make their Holdens go quicker. On dusty tracks in Australia, or on snowy mountain passes in Europe. Tony Gaze, Lex Davison and Stan Jones took a 48-215 on the 1953 Monte Carlo Rally. It wasn't just their cars that were slaved on by young racers. The venerable Holden six-cylinder 'red' motor was engine of choice for the day's aspiring stars to put in their hot rods. Like that kid from Hurstbridge who popped one into an Austin A30 ... Brock punts around the A30 replica ahead of his first retirement in 1997. Setting him on the road to legend. Brock wrangles HDT's "Beast" Torana sports sedan. Holden's wins on the Mountain established their reputation. The first came in 1968, renowned privateer Bruce McPhee and Barry Mulholland outlasting the factory Monaros and Falcons through good preparation and smart strategy. McPhee's meticulous preparation ensured he put one over the factory entries. And the wins kept coming ... Brock claimed his maiden Bathurst triumph in 1972. And coming ... Brock and co-driver Sampson after their 1975 victory. Brock and David Parsons post a HDT 1-2 at Bathurst in 1984. Skaife and Longhurst survived the elements at Bathurst in 2001. Norm Beechey used his Monaro to beat a wave of American muscle, scoring the first Australian Touring Car Championship win for a local car in 1970. Beechey holds off Geoghegan's Mustang at Lakeside in 1970. Not that winning was always easy, with their cross-town rivals from Broadmeadows always putting up a strong fight. Allan Moffat: Holden's fiercest rival. But when things were good for the men from Fishermans Bend, they were great. Bob Morris, Brock and John Harvey celebrate a Torana 1-2-3 in Tasmania. Even as the dreaded turbos started to take over the racetracks ... Brock heads John Bowe and George Fury at Wanneroo in 1986, the chasing turbos eventually beating the Holden that day. The late 1980s and early 1990s were dry periods for Holden. ... the Holden V8 still showed it was capable of an upset. Larry Perkins and Denny Hulme took HSV's first 1-2 in Adelaide in 1988. Despite firm opposition from the turbo Fords and Nissans ... Allan Grice and Win Percy took Holden to a Bathurst victory. Not that its success was limited to turning left and right. Ben Bray's fire-breathing Monaro Top Doorslammer drag car. Or even just turning right. Holdens were a major force in AUSCAR racing at Calder Park Thunderdome, this one belonging to Larry Perkins - although it was written off by ice-skating star Christopher Dean before he could race it. Or the tarmac. The nimble Torana was a staple on Australian rally stages in the '70s. The Holden Dealer Team were just as formidable off-road as on it. While the Commodore earnt its stripes the hard way, too. The Commodore's first competitive event was the 1979 Round Australia Trial - which it won. As did an array of The General's trucks and four wheel drives. Brock and son James had a tilt at the Australian Safari aboard a Jackaroo. Bruce Garland and co-driver Harry Suzuki were mainstays of off-road competition aboard a Jackaroo. Craig Lowndes had a recent tilt at the Safari aboard a Holden Colorado. While their utes were also made to work hard. Allan Grice, Brad Jones and John Spencer (not pictured) raced a Commodore Ute in the 1992 Bathurst 12 Hour. Even the HQ Kingswood, that icon of the 1970s, made a comeback on racetracks around the land as a low-cost entry level category. The HQs delivered plenty of action wherever they raced. Not even their small cars were safe from track action ... Holden regularly provided the cars for the celebrity races at the Australian F1 Grand Prix. Holden also provided a stepping stone for our young stars chasing their dreams overseas, their V6 fitted to the nation's fastest open-wheel cars of the day. Mark Skaife won a trio of Gold Star titles in Formula Holden. Jason Bright won a Formula Holden title before heading to V8 Supercars. As did Rick Kelly. While Scott Dixon won the 1998 title on his road to IndyCar stardom. Holden was, is, and forever will be a brand that inspires a fierce loyalty. Peter Wyss shows off his tattoos outside Peter Brock's funeral in 2006. Even if it wasn't the best day at the office. Doug Chivas pushes home an out-of-fuel Torana in an iconic image of Bathurst 1973. Brock hops out after crashing during the 1995 Top 10 Shootout. Skaife offers Russell Ingall some career advice in 2003. Even if it broke your heart when your favourite driver left the tribe. Scott Robinson was left gutted after Craig Lowndes's defection to Ford in 2001. 'Australia's Own' car will be no more after 2017, but the passion and the memories will always live on. The Holden flags fly after a victorious Bathurst 2003. Bringing together brothers ... Peter and Phil Brock, 1976. Rick and Todd Kelly, 2010. Fathers and sons ... Jack Perkins takes dad Larry for a ride in 2011. Masters and apprentices ... Harry Firth and Peter Brock. Brock and Lowndes Source: News Limited Socialites and hard-nosed racers ... Captain Peter Janson and Perkins celebrate finishing 3rd at Bathurst, 1979. Lifelong rivals ... Brock and Moffat joining forces, 1986. Two and four-wheel heroes ... Gregg Hansford and Perkins with 1993 Bathurst winners" trophy. Tough men ... Perkins and Tom Walkinshaw with the first race product of Holden Special Vehicles. Setting legends on their road to stardom ... Johnson made his name in Toranas before becoming a Ford hero. Fulfilling childhood dreams ... Nick Percat on his first Bathurst visit as a fan in 1996, winning the race on debut in 2011. And having fun along the way. From left to right: Larrititus, Garth, Enforcerus, Richotus, Murfus, Bargwannus, Cragius and Markus Skaifius. Thank you, Holden, for all the memories and the good times still to come. Farewell, Holden.