Ford Performance Racing and Dick Johnson Racing are among a number of V8 Supercars teams that will potentially campaign ‘retro’ colour schemes to mark the 50th year celebrations at next month’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.
High-profile squads FPR, Dick Johnson Racing, Triple Eight Race Engineering and the Holden Racing Team have all been linked to running retro liveries in the event.
DJR has confirmed that it will reveal its own “distinctive livery” next Tuesday that will mark the occasion and “reflect the rich history of the team”.
FPR is also thought to be particularly keen on the idea, and while its own existence only dates back to 2003, the outfit’s factory Ford status gives it a wealth of history to tap into.
The one-two finish recorded by the Moffat Ford Dealers-entered Falcons XCs of Allan Moffat/Jacky Ickx and Colin Bond/Alan Hamilton in 1977 is considered by many as the Blue Oval’s crowning achievement at Bathurst, and appears the most likely colour scheme to be replicated.
FPR and HRT have both run ‘retro’ schemes in the 1000 in recent years. The Ford squad turned back the clock to 1978 with its ‘Cobra’ livery in 2007, while three years later the Holden outfit repeated the look of its 1990 success.
Ford Performance Racing’s team principal Tim Edwards confirmed that his team is close to making a final call on whether or not it will transform the appearance of its title contending cars for next month’s race.
“We’re weighing it all up at the moment,” Edwards told Speedcafe.com.
“There’s quite a significant cost associated with changing a livery. It’s not as simple as putting a different set of stickers on it.
“It certainly brings some logistical challenges, especially when we get back, we’ve only got a few days to turn the cars around to get the international drivers in them at Queensland Raceway (for the pre-Armor All Gold Coast 600 test).
“Each team has their own situation and decision to make. My understanding is that there’s a couple of teams considering it.”
The 2012 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 is set to take place on the October 5-7 weekend.
