The 1978 season began with expert race car builder John Shepherd taking over management of the Holden Dealer Team (M-HDT), Peter Brock also returned to the team as their number one driver after three years away racing as a privateer. The M-HDT A9X driven by Peter Brock swept all before them in 1978 with the return to the top of the Australian Touring Car Championship. 
The 1978 Bathurst saw the introduction of the Hardies Heroes Top 10 runoff (now referred as the Top Ten Shootout). Morning showers meant that the track was damp during the first run, but as the track dried out times improved with slick tyres. Brock ran a 2:20.006 in his second attempt, that was enough to give him his second Bathurst pole in succession.
Brock suffered a poor start when his differential failed to lock. He fought back and by lap 34 was leading the pack at a cracking pace. A litany of problems to others ultimately left the run clear for the Brock / Richards team, they had the race by the throat. When the flag fell on the tattered field, the M-HDT had won Bathurst and by a full lap ahead of Allan Grice and John Leffler’s A9X. Peter Brock claimed his third win, and Jim Richards, his first. It marked the beginning of the awesome M-HDT A9X and a place in Australian motorsport history.

Item includes certificate and production number plate, mounted to the chassis.