DJR uncovers Bathurst tribute livery
The Shell V-Power Racing Team has gone back to the past to celebrate its historic milestone in Bathurst.
Both Dick Johnson Racing Fords will run a tribute livery at next month’s Repco Bathurst 1000.
The Great Race will be DJR’s 1000th ATCC/Supercars race.
The team’s two Mustangs will carry a livery akin to the 1998 scheme raced aboard DJR EL Falcons.
The cars will also carry a retro Repco logo, and 'Celebrating 1000 Races' messages on the roof and doors.
Eponymous team owner Johnson raced the livery with son Steven in the team’s #17 entry.
The 1998 race was the first time father and son raced together at Mount Panorama.
Fellow Supercars Hall of Famer John Bowe raced the #18 with Cameron McConville.
Seldom does DJR change its regular Shell V-Power livery, which it has campaigned wholly since 2017.
However, the special milestone has seen the Ford squad delve into its deep history book.
DJR has won 10 drivers’ titles and nearly 150 races since its debut over 40 years ago.
Johnson and Bowe won the Great Race in 1989 and 1994, with the former first winning in 1981.
DJR returned to Bathurst’s top step with Team Penske involvement in 2019.
Already in 2022, the team has claimed four wins and 12 poles.
The Johnsons first paired up in 1998
Will Davison will carry the tribute livery on the team’s famous #17 with brother Alex.
Anton De Pasquale, meanwhile, will again combine with Tony D’Alberto.
Johnson was proud to see the 1998 livery again brought to life, some 24 years on.
“To celebrate 1000 races at the Repco Bathurst 1000 is something that Jillie and I are incredibly proud of after all these years,” Johnson said.
"We had no idea what would come of DJR in 1981 and celebrating all of the ups and downs with a tribute livery at the biggest event of the year is incredible.
“The 1998 EL Falcon livery is very special to me as it was the first year I drove the Bathurst 1000 with my son Steven.
"It’s fantastic to see the livery on the current Ford Mustang, it looks incredible.
"I can’t wait to see it take on the Mountain next week."
The 1998 livery was the favourite of DJR Team Executive Chairman Ryan Story.
“Dick Johnson Racing is the first Australian motor racing team to reach the 1000 races milestone,” Story said.
“To do it at the Repco Bathurst 1000 makes it even more special.
"The 1998 Shell Helix EL Falcon was my favourite livery growing up.
“What better way to celebrate 1000 races with one of the most iconic liveries from the 1990s."
The Great Race weekend will commence with Practice 1 on October 6.
Tickets for the Repco Bathurst 1000 are available on Supercars.com and Ticketek.
