Source: www.v8central.com
Today Castrol Perkins Motorsport released a striking new car design, and two drivers for the 2004 Championship assault when the covers were lifted off the 2004 Castrol V8 Supercar team.
Castrol is sponsoring three Holden Commodores under its new Castrol Formula R brand in this year’s V8 Supercar Championship for dual Bathurst champions Steven Richards, Tony Longhurst and 2002 Konica V8 Supercar Series champion Paul Dumbrell.
Welcoming the new Castrol support was Bathurst legend, Larry Perkins, who also announced a new marketing strategy and race livery.
“I am delighted that my long-time sponsor, Castrol, has decided to continue to use V8 Supercars as the vehicle to promote its products,” a happy Perkins said.
“Castrol Formula R is a range of four premium performance engine oils which have been developed to ensure there is the right oil for your engine.”
“The change to product specific livery also gives us a fresh appearance and new outlook, and that never goes astray when you are in such a competitive environment.”
Two former Holden Racing Team Drivers also join the Perkins ranks, Tony Longhurst, who will drive under the Rod Nash Racing franchise and Jim Richards who will join his son Steven for the 2004 endurance races at Sandown and Bathurst.
“As well as being competitive on the race track, Tony has always been a great ambassador for our company and we are delighted to welcome him back into the Castrol fold,” said Castrol Marketing Director, Andrew Johnson.
“We also often refer to our company as a large family and we now extend that to include the entire Richards family. It is very exciting for Castrol to have Steven and Jim driving together.”
Perkins was also generous in his praise for seven-times Bathurst winner, Jim Richards, “When we began looking for a driver for this year’s enduros it was important that we find someone who could run at the pace required to win and Jim is clearly still capable of performing at the highest level. His experience and skill will only benefit the team and enhance our chances of winning,”
Richards senior is looking forward to the new partnership “I only want to drive if I can add something to the team and have a genuine chance of winning the race. I believe I am still driving well enough and Castrol Perkins Motorsport can supply a competitive car, so the time is right for Steven and I to have a fair dinkum crack at winning Bathurst together.”
Paul Dumbrell is very pleased to be back with the established team, “Last year was a terrific opportunity for me, as well as being an incredibly steep learning curve, The new season presents me with even more challenges, but I intend using the lessons learnt last year and the experience and advice of the older guys on the team to my benefit, and to repay the faith Castrol and Larry Perkins have shown in me.”
Longhurst is excited about his return to full time racing, “After nearly 20 years of racing non-stop, it was terrific to have a break last year. I learnt a lot sitting on the sidelines, mostly that experience is a valuable commodity, while finishing races is paramount. The longer race formats suit me and I’m excited about the possibilities of what we can achieve together this year.”
The new, red dominated livery for the car’s, is a reflection of the new Formula R product. Which Castrol hopes to communicate through the world of V8 Supercars.
The new cars will hit the track at the Australian Grand Prix Support events with Castrol and Perkins Engineering sporting three cars.
Castrol Racing’s 2004 Line-up
#7 Tony Longhurst
#8 Paul Dumbrell
#11 Steven Richards
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