The 'special' story behind Jacobson's new number
Liveries, headquarters, a driver and the team itself isn’t the only new thing about PremiAir Racing.
In 2022, Garry Jacobson will return a number to the grid not seen since 2002.
The Peter Xiberras-owned PremiAir Racing unveiled its liveries for Jacobson and recruit Chris Pither on Monday.
Subway will back Jacobson’s car for the first two rounds of the season, with Coca-Cola colours to be carried by Kiwi veteran Pither.
For Jacobson, his new number itself holds special meaning.
The Victorian will race with the #76 in 2022, a number which his father Peter carried to great success in speedway competition.
"My father Peter Jacobson, had a lot of success in his speedway career, racing in A-Modified Production," Jacobson said.
"He was very well respected from competitors and fans who knew of him in every state in the country.
"Over the years in my motorsport career, there was always one thing that meant a lot to me that I had never had the chance to do.
"That was to represent my father’s racing number."
Jacobson, the 2016 Super2 series winner, has raced with the #3 and #22 in his full-time Supercars career to date.
He used the #3 at Kelly Racing, and the #22 with Team Sydney last season.
In 2022, he will finally get to race with the number he holds so dear.
"I’ve always wanted to use #76 but it never quite worked out," said Jacobson, who will record 100 career starts in 2022.
"Either another driver was already using it, or the team owner was running a number that was special to them that had its own unique meaning and history to it that I needed to respect.
"This year, Peter Xiberras rang me and asked what number I wanted to run.
"No team owner has ever given me that option before. I was shocked but also very humbled he did that.
"So, I didn’t need to think twice. This year for the first time in my motorsport career I can finally represent my father’s number on track.
"It’s a very special moment to me and my family and I can’t wait to finally say ‘car #76 in pit lane’ for the first time on the radio driving into the pits.
"I’m excited to be a part of this exciting chapter with Peter, the team at PremiAir and Subway.”
Pither, who returns for a first full-time campaign since 2020, was keen to help PremiAir Racing towards the front of the grid.
"I’m excited to be joining a brand-new team,” the 2018 Super2 series winner said.
"We’re fortunate to have secured great people over the past month to join our team. Everyone is really enthusiastic and keen to get the season underway.
"I’m grateful and privileged to have the continued support of one of the world’s largest brands. I’m loving the new livery! Both the Subway and Coca-Cola car are looking awesome.
"Everyone involved is passionate and results driven. We have high targets and expectations for the season and will be pushing hard as a team to achieve these."
PremiAir Racing will complete a test day at Queensland Raceway on Wednesday.
The team will make its racing debut at the Beaurepaires Sydney SuperNight next weekend.
