Holden's Grand Prix Celebrity Challenge, always a favourite event with spectators and TV viewers alike, returns with the best performers of previous races matched against some exciting new faces including international model Sarah O'Hare, Female Athlete of the Year Susie O'Neill, Young Australian of the Year Nova Peris and golf star Karrie Webb.

The female contingent traditionally competes with plenty of aggression and skill. Of the eleven races held in conjunction with Grands Prix in Adelaide and Melbourne, two of the most memorable were the Holden Calibra all female races of 1993 and 1994.

In Adelaide, netballer Michelle Fielke edged out skier Kirstie Marshall after a race-long dice for the honours in 1993, while another netballer Katherine Harby won out from Tracey Curro and Brenda Webb in the demolition derby that was 1994.

Both Adelaide winners return as thirty starters do battle in Euro race bred Holden Astras for the 1997 title of fastest woman in the land.

Although some have competed in Adelaide, it will be the first time any have raced at Albert Park, ensuring an even playing field for all.

Entrants represent a vibrant mix of high profile entertainers, sportswomen, business identities and television personalities.

Joining Fielke and Harby will be proven hardchargers like Jo Bailey, Tracey Curro, Tracy Grimshaw, Robyn Maher, Susie O'Neill, Lisa Hensley, Kerri-Anne Kennerley and other newcomers Jennifer Keyte, Jo Beth Taylor, Emma Carney, Rachael Sporn, Denise Drysdale, Jane Lamerton, Kate Slatter, Rechelle Hawkes, Totti Goldsmith, Indira Naidoo, Tania Kernaghan, Brigitte Duclos and Dr. Kerryn Phelps.

Again, participants will be finetuned for track action prior to the event by well known Bathurst touring car stars including John Harvey, Peter Brock and Tomas Mezera. An exhaustive five day training program introduces celebrities to advance driving techniques and racecraft essentials.

The race will feature Holden's power-packed two litre Astra GSi sports model - a world class engineered small car with double overhead cam, fuel injected engine and close ratio five speed manual transmission - a car that is sure to make its presence felt around the glorious Albert Park circuit.

Astra has been General Motors most popular small car worldwide, and was just released on the Australian market last year.

The Holden Astra brigade will not be the only cars to sport the familiar lion symbol at Albert Park.

As official vehicle supplier to the Qantas Formula One Australian Grand Prix, Holden has nominated the prestigious award-winning Statesman model as official F1 course car. Race track authorities will also use SS Commodore V8 and Commodore wagon models for circuit duties.

* Motor racing has been fundamental to the heart of Holden for the past 28 years, evidenced by the fact that Holden is the only car manufacturer to have offered continuous factory involvement during that period.

Through its Bathurst race successes (16 victories), Holden has utilised a unique and homegrown competitive environment that has strengthened and enhanced the integrity of the product in the market place, particularly with Commodore - Australia's best selling car.

1996 was an outstanding year of sales achievement for Holden with Commodore and Commodore Ute recording best ever sales volume, while Statesman and Caprice models were also best selling Australian luxury cars.

Production at Holden's Elizabeth manufacturing facility (S.A.) totalled over 108,000 vehicles for the year - a record output.