 Ironically, the HDT operated out of Firth’s Auburn workshop, the same that had once housed the Ford works team.That year (1969) Firth was instrumental in launching the professional careers of two soon to be famous drivers – talented up and coming rally driver Colin Bond and young tearaway Peter Brock whose feats in an Austin A30 had brought him to Firth’s attention.Bond and Tony Roberts won the 1969 Hardie-Ferodo 500 for the HDT in a Holden Monaro GTS350, with Des West and Brock finishing third in a similar car.