The Holden Racing Team is counting on experience to maintain Garth Tander’s lead in the Australian V8 Supercar series by teaming regular team drivers Tander and Mark Skaife together for the upcoming Endurance events at Phillip Island and Bathurst.

Tander has been the General’s stand out driver in season 2008 and currently leads series by only 12 points from Ford Performance Racing’s Mark Winterbottom.

In a media statement issued today Toll HRT team manager Rob Crawford said the driver pairings were logical. “Garth and Mark present one of the strongest driver combinations in the field and allow us to put our best foot forward,” he said.

“This is the best possible strategy for us to look after Garth’s championship while still chasing race wins. Both guys know what it takes to win enduro races and look after the car so I’m confident that if we get a straight run at it, we can look after both of those objectives.”

There’s no shortage of experience in the team’s number two car either with popular Ford veteran Glenn Seton teaming with New Zealand star and Carrera Cup stand out Crag Baird.

While Tander has been staring for team, former champ Skaife currently lies back in 15th place in the series and has had to fend off constant media speculation regarding his racing future.

Holden Racing Team’s decision to team their two top drivers not only provides them with their best possible chance of winning but is a clear public endorsement of Skaife and the team’s faith in his ability.

And why not, you don’t win 5 series titles as well as 5 Bathursts without at least some modicum of ability.