Former Australian Touring Car driver Chris Lambden has secured a one-off sponsorship deal for his Formula 5000 entry at the Muscle Car Masters event at Sydney Motorsport Park on September 1-2.

The former touring car driver turned publisher and now V8 Supercars commissioner will carry major backing from Castrol, featuring a retro-style livery on his McRae GM1.

The popular Sydney Motorsport Park event marks the opening round of the MSC Formula 5000 Tasman Revival series for 2012/13, as well as the second event in the inaugural Australian F5000 Cup.

Lambden says that to fit in with the historic class, he had its livery modified to present a period Castrol look.

“It’s a requirement in historic racing that cars reflect a ‘period’ look, and so we’ve been careful to do just that – the car could be straight out of the 70s! We’re pleased with it,” Lambden said.

“It’s great that an iconic motorsport company such as Castrol is prepared to involve itself in F5000, which highlights its heritage in motorsport at all levels.

“This is the first time that F5000 has appeared at the Muscle Car Masters and, with the NZ cars and drivers who are entering, it will be a quality field, which should provide a great spectacle.”

Castrol’s Consumer Marketing Manager Jean Delany says that the fit between Castrol and historic racing is obvious.

“Castrol is pleased to be part of historic racing, which grows daily in its support and enjoyment by Australian and NZ motorsport fans, Formula 5000 in particular,” Delany said.

“Our involvement reflects both the fact that Castrol has been part of motorsport worldwide for a very long time and, given the enormous range and varying ages of cars in historic racing, that Castrol has a performance lubricant for just about every automotive need.”

This will not be the first time that Castrol has supported Lambden’s racing efforts. The lubricants giant was a secondary sponsor when he ran the Beaurepaires Group A touring car team in the late 80s/early 90s.