Team 18 reveals retro Hino livery for Gold Coast
Scott Pye, Team 18 reveal retro Hino livery for Gold Coast
Livery pays tribute to Hino's Team Samurai sportscar prototype
Retro #20 Camaro features red livery and gold wheels
Scott Pye and Team 18 will campaign a retro Hino livery, paying tribute to the sponsor’s sportscar past, at this weekend’s Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500.
Pye will race at his penultimate round with Team 18 with an all-red livery, complete with retro Hino logo and number and gold wheels, on his Chevrolet Camaro.
Hino has made its name in trucks and buses, and has been supplying the Australian market with for almost 60 years. However, the marque also has a background in motorsport, notably in the Dakar Rally.
The Pye livery is a throwback to Hino’s Team Samurai prototype, which was set to enter in the 1967 Japanese Grand Prix and Le Mans.
A race version of the 1300cc Hino Contessas finished first and second on debut in 1966 at Riverside Raceway in California. American automotive designer Peter Brock created the 'Team Samurai’ prototype, which was later deemed unable to race.
Over 50 years later, the striking red of the Team Samurai car has been reborn on a Supercar, which will hit the track for the first time on Friday at Surfers Paradise.
“Hino is renowned for our track record with Hino Team Sugawara racing trucks in the gruelling Dakar Rally,” Richard Emery, Hino Australia Vice President Brand and Franchise Development, said.
“But this striking red livery is actually inspired by our brief, little-known foray into car racing in the 1960s.
“It was a hailed a ‘styling triumph’ featuring in several magazines and displayed at motor shows, but ultimately it didn’t compete in the Japanese Grand Prix due to a stewards' ruling that it had insufficient ground clearance.
“A merger with Toyota in 1967 ended Hino’s production of cars and racing program, and the ‘Team Samurai’ prototype remained just that, a prototype.
“The story of our involvement in car production is one that is rarely told. In 1953 Hino became a private car manufacturer, initially assembling another brand’s car under licence.
“Similarly, our long-standing involvement in Supercars including our partnership with Team 18 is a brand-building one that continues to reap rewards for us.
“This is the fifth time the Hino #20 Camaro will hit the track this year, we wanted it to truly stand out in front of one of the biggest Supercars spectator events this year."
Pye said: “I'm really excited and proud to represent Hino, which has been a huge supporter of our team, but in particular this livery behind me looks fantastic.
"It was something in 1967 that never actually hit the track, So I'm excited to to get on the circuit at the Gold Coast 500.
“The livery looks great I think it's really cool. It’s a nice twist on a retro livery, 1967's a long time ago and I think the designs back then were very cool.
"I mean everything we've done that's been retro in the past in Supercars has always had a really cool flair to it so I think the car looks fantastic and Hino is really prominent on it and very proud to represent the brand on the Gold Coast.”
Team 18 team owner Charlie Schwerkolt added: "It's a tremendous honour for Team 18 to showcase Hino's historic Samurai livery on Scott Pye's Camaro at the Gold Coast 500.
“This unique design pays homage to Hino's short but remarkable history in car racing, a story that's often overlooked.
"The 1960s was a fascinating period for Hino, and their 'Team Samurai' prototype, brought to life by legendary American designer Pete Brock, truly reflects their commitment to innovation and style and we're proud to showcase that at Team 18.
"Our Hino #20 Camaro is set to shine on the streets of Surfers Paradise, and we’re looking forward to racing with the spirit and heritage of Hino by our side as we race in front of the thousands of fans at the Gold Coast."
