First Indigenous round liveries break cover

Walkinshaw Andretti United has kicked off Indigenous livery reveal week in style, unveiling two stunning looks for the upcoming betr Darwin Triple Crown.

Next weekend’s Darwin round doubles as Supercars’ annual Indigenous Round, with teams running special liveries to mark the occasion.

The Indigenous Round concept, which debuted in 2022, has already seen dozens of special looks, led by First Nations artists.

The 2024 round bodes to be the most colourful yet, with WAU the first team to uncover its liveries for the June 14-16 event.

Chaz Mostert’s #25 Mobil 1 Optus Ford will carry artwork designed by 16-year-old Ava Muir, a Wurundjeri and Arrentre woman.

Ryan Wood’s #2 Mobil 1 NTI Ford, meanwhile, will carry artwork designed by Kamilaroi woman Rhonda Sampson, who lives on Dharawal country in South Western Sydney.

Muir, who lives on the traditional lands of the Darug peoples in an area of Sydney’s north, was introduced to WAU via her connections with team co-naming rights partner Optus. She was an entrant in a recent competition, with Muir collaborating with Optus and Mobil 1 to bring her artwork 'Artangentyele akethe durt’ to life.

“Thanks to Optus and WAU, it has been amazing to have the chance to showcase my culture through my car design for the Darwin Triple Crown Indigenous livery,” Muir said.

“I have learnt so much, the process from brief to realisation and all steps in between. It has been a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“Everyone I have worked with from Optus, Mobil 1 and WAU have been wonderfully supportive. I am so very grateful to both Optus and WAU for the experience. I am so excited to see my design on car 25 and share my story.”

Matt Williams, Optus Managing Director of Customer Solutions, said: "We are thrilled to have brought proud Wurundjeri and Arrentre woman, Ava Muir, and Walkinshaw Andretti United together for the Indigenous round in Darwin.

“Ava’s design beautifully expresses the essence of connection — to people, Country and what matters most. We can’t wait to see the Indigenous livery on the track this weekend. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Ava once more.”

Sampson — who previously designed liveries for WAU in 2022 and 2023, as well as Matt Stone Racing’s 2023 look — is represented on the #2 Ford with her artwork, ‘Under the Stars’.

‘Under the Stars’ is a visual representation of a commitment to and an ongoing journey towards reconciliation by co-naming rights partner Truck Assist.

WAU CEO Bruce Stewart said: “We look forward to the Darwin round each year, it’s a special weekend on the calendar, it’s a great way to celebrate our Indigenous communities.

“A massive thanks goes out to Truck Assist, Optus and Mobil 1 who have provided the artwork to help bring these liveries to life. A big thank you also to all of our partners who have been supportive throughout the entire process.

“It’s great to have Rhonda Sampson back on board this year as the artist for Car 2 and a big welcome to the family to young Ava Muir, both artists have done a fantastic job and I can’t wait to see these cars hit the track next week.”

Jason Kibsgaard, NTI Head of Marketing, said: "Darwin is a significant round on the calendar, and we look forward each year to seeing the amazing showcase of indigenous artistic talent on the grid.

“Truck Assist is proud to be in a partnership that uses its platform to acknowledge and celebrate our First Nations people and the contributions to our shared heritage.

“We are thankful to have Rhonda Sampson display her incredible artwork once again for Truck Assist on the No. 2 Ford Performance Mustang.”

Brad Phillips, Ampol General Manager, Business to Business, added: "We’re excited to celebrate First Nations People and culture over the weekend of racing in Darwin. It’s always a round that has a unique capacity to unite people from all across Australia.

“Ava Muir has a done marvellous job incorporating what Mobil 1 is all about — Passion and Exhilaration. The symbolism and connection to First Nations People is beautifully designed and I love how obviously the artwork has been used as the feature of the car.

“The WAU Team have done fantastic job of respecting the story and meaning of Ava’s artwork when incorporating it onto what we think is the best-looking car on the track.”

Mostert and Wood are third and 16th, and WAU second in teams' heading to the betr Darwin Triple Crown on June 14-16. Tickets for the event are on sale now. International viewers can follow all the action on Superview.

#2 Mobil 1 Truck Assist Ford Mustang artwork explained

Artist: Rhonda Sampson

Artwork: 'Under the Stars'

The artwork on Car 2 ‘Under the Stars’ is a visual representation of a commitment to and an ongoing journey towards reconciliation by Truck Assist.

At the centre of the design is the Truck Assist team members who are committed to making a real difference in the community and strengthening relationships with First Nations peoples across the country.

Located in the four corners of the artwork are the four pillars of a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP): Respect, Relationships. Opportunities and Governance. The stars, which are scattered throughout the piece, represent the night sky and Southern Cross and signify people, customers and partners across Australia working together for a safer and more sustainable future.

#25 Mobil 1 Optus Ford Mustang artwork explained

Artist: Ava Muir

Artwork: 'Artangentyele akethe durt'

The artwork titled 'Artangentyele akethe durt', which means together in the open stars, was commissioned by Optus and Mobil 1 to reflect key themes - Optus’ identifiably Australian optimism and positive connections, and Mobil 1’s passion and exhilaration.

At the heart of the design is the sky, the one we all share no matter who are we are or where we are, it keeps us positively connected and together. The handprints throughout the artwork are the handprints of Ava’s friends and family who have supported her passion for her culture and artwork.

The Waang (raven) is the protector of the Wurundjeri people seen throughout the design. The theme of optimism is represented by the three meeting places that signify the journey through life, culminated with the symbol for people, which represents everyone you meet along the way and the positive connections and relationships formed in the search for the ultimate community.