Tickford Racing unveils 2025 Darwin Indigenous looks

Tickford Racing has uncovered its trio of Indigenous Round liveries for this weekend’s betr Darwin Triple Crown.

The Ford team will run three Ford Mustangs for Cam Waters, Thomas Randle and rising star Rylan Gray, who will make his Supercars debut.

The three Mustangs will carry artwork by Joshua James, whose designs celebrate culture, connection, and storytelling.

The Waters design has a focus on the star driver's life and achievement as a driver for Tickford. Waters’ roots from Mildura are represented by the Murray River at the bottom of the design, while there is a gathering of people which represent his family and friends.

Along the top of the design is Waters' journey, which is represented via storylines that connect one achievement to the next, from karts, Supercars and speedway.

Additionally, Waters' determination is featured in the design with the inclusion of the shield and spears, which represent strength and resilience. The other two symbols include a gathering of two people which is Waters himself and his role model, being his father.

The final symbol is the gathering of the three ‘U’ shapes which represent Waters' three values being determination, loyalty and teamwork.

The Castrol Ford design is inspired by the focus and determination of Randle, with a song line representing carer pathway of the Victorian and the different motorsport categories he has contested.

There are three symbols that are unique to Randle in the design — a gathering of people (the connection that Randle has with his fans and teammates), a shield (Randle is determined to claim his first Supercars win), and his values (including perseverance, gratitude and humility).

Gray’s Ford will carry a design featuring a traditional Noongar dreamtime story that reflects the movement of Ngangungudditj Walgu, the Rainbow Serpent. The design has three rivers, being the Brunswick, Collie and Preston. Walgu created the three rivers and moved from one river to the next by navigating underground freshwater rock pools and streams.

Alongside the rivers are symbols that reflect incredibly significant cultural sites, including a pine tree that is a gathering place for Noongar women. Additionally, several strong gatherings and yarning circles represent the journey that Noongar people have taken to meet on the banks of these rivers.

Included in these gatherings of Noongar men and women is a recently deceased proud Noongar Elder, being Greg Winmar, as he gathers on the banks of the river with his family including his wife, brothers, sisters, cousins and children, including his son Laurence.

“My inspiration for creating traditional and contemporary designs is Moorditj [strong] because I can share my culture, our Aboriginal voice, truth telling and storytelling all through the strength of my designs,” James said.

"In 2021, I started to focus on my craft of design, for people to share my artwork in their homes and workplaces, which in turn starts people talking about the Aboriginal culture and the story behind the design.

"My love in traditional design excelled in 2022 and my passion for sharing our culture has grown with every individual piece I create that continues to build connection to culture, people and my ancestors.”

The Tickford trio will hit the track on Friday, with three races held across Saturday and Sunday.