FAN-VOTED CASTROL LIVERY REVEALED FOR BATHURST

MEDIA RELEASE/Castrol – Photos: supplied

Race fans have helped launch the fan-voted iconic ‘Silver Bullet’ Castrol livery which will adorn Rick Kelly’s #15 Altima for this week’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

Giving back to the lifeblood and soul of the sport, race fans were provided the rare opportunity to vote for the Castrol livery that they want to see returning to the Mountain.

WATCH THE UNVEIL HERE:

Kelly Racing and Castrol held three different knock-out votes with eight potential liveries to find the fan-favourite design.

The final round came down to the much loved ‘Saw Tooth’ run by Perkins Engineering in the 90’s and Russell Ingall’s ‘Silver Bullet’.

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WHICH WILL FEATURE ALL KELLY RACING’S CARS.

The Silver Bullet was the landslide winner, claiming 70 percent of the final round vote held last month.

This was the first time the fans have been given the opportunity to select the livery that a Supercars team will run at the Bathurst 1000.

Keeping in the spirit of fan involvement, the livery was revealed at the top of Mount Panorama right in the heartland of Supercars faithfuls, joined by Russell Ingall and the original 2000 VT Commodore Silver Bullet race car built by Castrol Perkins Engineering.

Ingall, ‘The Enforcer’, reunited with his 2000 charger for the occasion which carried him to a podium at Sydney Motorsport Park (nee Eastern Creek) and eighth in the overall championship standings that year.

Castrol are celebrating their centenary in 2019 and are the most winning oil at the Mountain exceeding 20 victories.

Rick Kelly has contributed two wins to that tally when he and Greg Murphy took back-to-back victories in 2003 and 2004.

Rick Kelly and his co-driver Dale Wood will take to the track in their own Silver Bullet on Thursday for the first practice ahead of the Great Race on Sunday.

Rick Kelly #15 Castrol Racing

“Today we’ve taken the covers off the Silver Bullet-inspired retro livery that myself and Dale will be running for the Bathurst 1000. The fans have done a great job in picking a livery that looks great but is also pretty retro and judging by the response from the fans on the mountain our paint and graphics departments have done a pretty good job of adapting the Silver Bullet to the Nissan Altima.”

“For me this weekend is all about having fun and enjoying what is the biggest weekend in our sport and to kick it off by revealing this livery at the top of Mount Panorama is really cool.”

“Over the years I’ve had a fair bit of success here at the mountain and Castrol was supporting me back then so to have their continued support now and be able to do cool initiatives like this and involve the fans is great for our partnership.”

“Myself and Dale are now really looking forward to hitting the track on Thursday, this event is always a big challenge both physically and mentally for the drivers but at the same time it’s such a special place to drive around so any time you can do laps here is a good experience.”

Russell Ingall
Former Supercars Champion

“The Silver Bullet in its day was definitely a crowd favourite and glad to see it still is now.  My time at Castrol Perkins Racing was a pretty special part of my career so to see those colours here today and racing around the Mountain is going to bring back some great memories.

“Have to thank the fans for picking this Castrol livery and hopefully will see it cross the line on the podium.”

Ben Rose
Castrol Australia Marketing Director

“Seeing the fan response to the Castrol livery vote has been pretty humbling. We have been able to launch some incredible liveries over the years and it’s amazing to see how the fans connect to these Castrol cars.”

“We’re proud to give the fans the opportunity to decide the Castrol livery that runs at Bathurst, Castrol as an organisation are racing fans at heart.”

“It looks to be another incredible battle at the Mountain this Sunday and we wish Rick and Dale the best of luck.”

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