Winterbottom honoured with special livery for swansong
Mark Winterbottom gets special livery for final event
Winterbottom to depart Team 18 at season's end, set for co-driving
2015 champion to carry 'Thanks Frosty' message on Chevrolet
Team 18 has honoured Mark Winterbottom with a special livery ahead of the 2015 champion's full-time swansong at the season-ending VAILO Adelaide 500.
Winterbottom, who joined Team 18 in 2019, will transition into co-driving in 2025, following a 21-year unbroken run as a full-time driver in the championship.
The 43-year-old's DEWALT Chevrolet Camaro will carry a 'Thanks Frosty' message, along with an individual wreath for all of his 39 Supercars race wins and his 2015 title.
Winterbottom unveiled the new-look car in Adelaide pit lane with family and friends, as well as crew members, on Wednesday afternoon.
It was the second new-look livery to be revealed on Wednesday, with Erebus Motorsport unveiling a new sponsor and colour scheme.
“I’m in two minds. One yeah, emotional and enjoy the weekend, but two, want to go out on a high and try and win the race," Winterbottom said.
"You're in that mixed thing between emotions. One thing I've done really well over my career is control my emotions really well. So trying to do that, but it's definitely the hardest one.
"But we'll roll out tomorrow and hopefully, have a good weekend, that's what I'm aiming for, to finish on a high and if I can finish with a trophy then that would be perfect. I’m emotional but focused at the same time, which is quite hard to do.
“It’s a nice tribute, Mitch Croke our sticker guy has done an amazing job with the stickers on the car and all those little dots reflect race wins. So there's enough on there to make me feel like I've won enough, which is nice."
Team 18 owner Charlie Schwerkolt, who presented Winterbottom with a frame, added: “We're at the Adelaide 500 and how good does this look? Frosty's been an incredible asset for Team 18 for the past six years.
"We've had an incredible time for him and there's no better way of parting out in this great looking car here.
“It looks really good, especially let's call them paw prints, all the number ones all over the car from his race wins, The 120 podiums and stats all up the back of the car. It looks absolutely fantastic and really proud to showcase this car."
PremiAir Nulon Racing veteran Tim Slade will also step away from full-time Supercars action in 2025, bringing an end to his 15-year career.
The new-look Winterbottom Camaro will hit the track for the first time in Adelaide on Thursday. Tickets for the November 14-17 event are on sale now.
