HDT launches Federal Court action against rival The Wheel Gallery

A Queensland company closely linked to the legacy of late racing legend Peter Brock has taken legal action to stop allegedly bogus knock-offs.

A Queensland company associated with the legacy of late great racing legend Peter Brock has taken legal action to stop a competitor selling allegedly bogus auto parts.

Yeppoon-based car parts and accessories business HDT filed a claim in the Federal Court in Brisbane this month to restrain rival operator, The Wheel Gallery in Melbourne, from flogging what it claims are counterfeit HDT wheels.

HDT boss Peter Champion was a close friend and professional colleague of Brock, who acquired the esteemed Holden Dealer Team in 1979 and became its manager.

Following Brock’s untimely death in a racing smash in 2006, Champion acquired the assets of the Holden Dealer Team the following year and has continued to operate the business since then. It generated nearly $800,000 in sales in the last financial year.

Champion said that he wasn’t chasing monetary damages from The Wheel Gallery, which has not yet lodged a defence in the case.

“It’s not about the money to me. It’s about making people know that they’re not allowed to do this with a trademark,’’ he said.

Champion discovered the alleged infringement after spotting what he claims were bogus HDT wheels online and ordering some to inspect. He claims the real and fake versions are made in the same factory in China.

The real HDT wheels sell for $525, while the others are $100 cheaper.

It’s not the first time he’s had the problem, either.

Last year HDT settled another trademark infringement case against a different auto parts retailer on confidential terms.

The problem of counterfeiting is so pervasive that Champion said he’s had to hire a full-time staffer just to keep an eye on bogus products on eBay and elsewhere online.

He’s also had to deal with consumers who complain to him about fake HDT products.

One of The Wheel Gallery’s co-owners, Hassan Halwani, declined to comment Wednesday.

Originally published as HDT launches Federal Court action against rival The Wheel Gallery