Normally Sandown traditionally holds the regular Supercars ‘Retro Round’, but two teams have embraced the past at this year’s Repco Bathurst 1000.
The two teams are in stark contrast to each other as Shell V-Power Racing Team (Dick Johnson Racing) is the oldest operation in pit lane as it celebrates 1000 races at the Mountain, while PremiAir Racing contests its first Bathurst 1000.
The livery reflects the first time team owner Dick Johnson was partnered by son Steven for the 1998 edition of The Great Race in the famous #17 Ford Falcon.
In a spectacular appearance, the team’s #17 Ford Mustang to be shared by brothers Alex and Will Davison will reflect the livery from this event. It was not only a significant occasion due to the Johnson father and son pairing up, but it marked the last event for the squad’s long-time driver John Bowe, who partnered Cameron McConville.
Although the race wasn’t a success for the team with both of its Falcons retiring before the halfway mark it proved the start of a new era for DJR as Paul Radisich returned from the UK to partner with Johnson in 1999, who the next season was replaced by Steven.
In its 1000 races, DJR has achieved 10 drivers’ titles and won nearly 150, including four Bathurst victories since its formation.
“To celebrate 1000 races at the Repco Bathurst 1000 is something that Jillie and I are incredibly proud of after all these years,” Johnson said.
“We had no idea what would come of DJR in 1981 and celebrating all of the ups and downs with a tribute livery at the biggest event of the year is incredible.
“The 1998 EL Falcon livery is very special to me as it was the first year I drove the Bathurst 1000 with my son Steven.
“It’s fantastic to see the livery on the current Ford Mustang, it looks incredible.
“I can’t wait to see it take on the Mountain next week.”
As for PremiAir, its Coca Cola entry to be shared by Chris Pither and rookie Cameron Hill has been thrown back to the mid-1990s when the soft drink brand teamed up with former 500cc World Champion Wayne Gardner in his two-car squad.
Gardner branched out on his own after the 1993 Australian Touring Car Championship season when he took over the Bob Forbes operation, which had fielded Neil Crompton in a GIO Insurance Commodore.
Crompton linked up with Gardner’s Coca Cola team in 1994, but success was hard to come by. A fourth for Crompton at Winton was the highlight of the season, though Win Percy and Russell Ingall teamed up for fifth at Bathurst.
Third at Sandown’s opening round for Gardner was the best it got for the squad as a collision at the Mount Panorama sprint round took both drivers out at Hell Corner, with Phil Ward in the middle.
After a torrid season, it ended on a high as both Coca Cola Commodores finished inside the top five at the Mountain led by a podium result for Gardner and Crompton.
By 1996, funding was getting tighter and Crompton ran only a part season as Gardner enjoyed his best season capped off with a heat victory at Mallala in addition to fourth at Bathurst for the duo.
Scaling back full time to one entry, Gardner won the first round of the V8 Supercars era at Calder Park, but funding was a problem as the Coca Cola team was wound up by the end of the decade.
The PremiAir entry will replicate the livery from 1995 when Gardner and Crompton scored their maiden Bathurst podium.
“When it came to deciding what car and team to honour for this year’s Bathurst, we couldn’t go past Wayne Gardner and Neil Crompton’s #7 Coca-Cola car,” Pither said.
“It is a truly iconic car, instantly recognisable, and of course, it obviously has a lot of synergy for us being backed by Coca-Cola.
“I am very happy with the look and I can’t wait to see what we can do while flying these colours at the Great Race this year.”
All Queensland teams completed a pre-Bathurst test today at Queensland Raceway before heading to the Mountain next week, while Team18 and Erebus did likewise at Winton.
Scott Pye and rookie Tyler Everingham’s Holden ZB Commodore will also carry new colours from Alspec at Bathurst in addition to the Gold Coast.