Nissan Motorsport is the latest team to look beyond the ATCC/Supercars Championship for the category’s retro round at Sandown.
The team has revealed a new livery for its Dale Wood/David Russell entry that harks back to an Australian NASCAR which marked GB Galvanizing’s first foray into motorsport almost 20 years ago.
The original Chevrolet Lumina was driven by American Jimmy Ellis, who made a brief foray into Australia’s NASCAR scene following a lengthy career in motocross.
GB’s NASCAR look will join AUSCAR, IndyCar and speedway throwbacks from Brad Jones Racing, DJR Team Penske and Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport respectively on the Sandown grid.
“This livery takes us back to circa 1997 when GB had it’s very first stint stint at sponsoring a race car,” explained GB Galvanizing’s Gian Gucciardo.
“We came across the opportunity quite by chance, and at the time knew little about NASCAR, but were quickly drawn in by the excitement and closeness of the racing.
“An opportunity to get our company name out into the public domain in a way that none of our competitors had done, and the fact that it was telecast was the real lure.
“It was always cool to see our original 80’s GB ‘The Rust Busters’ logo sprawled on the bonnet of a race car under lights.”
Wood, whose career has been backed by GB Galvanizing across several different teams in recent seasons, says he’s looking forward to Sandown’s retro event.
“It’s going to be a step back in time,” said Wood.
“Out on the track you get so familiar with the cars and who’s who, so we’re going to need to adjust our way of thinking.
“I was skeptical to the retro idea initially, but am really looking forward to seeing all the unique tributes to racing cars of years gone by.”
VIDEO: Ellis takes a top five finish in the 97/98 NASCAR round in Adelaide