Triple Eight reveals 'Spirit of the Driver' Darwin livery

Red Bull Ampol Racing has become the final team to reveal its 2023 Indigenous livery, which will carry artwork centred on the life of a Triple Eight driver.

This weekend’s betr Darwin Triple Crown is Supercars’ official Indigenous Round, with all teams carrying special liveries.

Triple Eight is running three cars this weekend — the Red Bull Ampol cars of Broc Feeney and Shane van Gisbergen, and Zane Goddard’s Supercheap Auto wildcard.

Feeney and van Gisbergen will carry artwork designed by Warumungu man Brock Compton, a student of Brisbane’s Ambrose Treacy College.

Compton, 17, is a member of the school’s Clontarf Academy, with the Clontarf Foundation a long-time community partner of team’s co-naming rights partner, Ampol.

The Clontarf Foundation operates to improve the education, life skills, self-esteem, and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men through academies in schools across Australia.

Apprentice carpenter Compton — ironically named after Australian motorsport legend Peter Brock — is completing his Year 12 studies at Ambrose Tracey College.

Compton's artwork — named ‘The Spirit of the Driver’ — was created to describe the life of a Red Bull Ampol Racing driver.

The #88 and #97 Camaros will carry a dark blue scheme in Darwin, with the artwork symbolising the driver’s journey into Supercars, their challenges and difficulties faced throughout their journey, and their achievements and supporters.

Red Bull Ampol Racing, in conjunction with Ampol, will also sell a limited-edition collection of Darwin merchandise which features Compton’s artwork.

A percentage of sales from every item sold will be donated to the Clontarf Foundation. The team will also auction both race suits from the event, with all proceeds being donated to Clontarf. View the auction here.

“Having the team reveal the cars to us was really special. Seeing all of the boys smiling, cheering and clapping when they saw the cars for the first time made me feel amazing. I’m really proud of how they turned out,” Compton said.

“The design is represented nicely on the car and the team have done an amazing job applying the decals to the cars — I’m really proud to see it represented this way.

“Meeting Broc and Shane for the first time was really cool. They were both easy-going to talk to and really chilled people – they just wanted to talk about regular life things with me which was really appreciative.

“I’m so keen for Darwin, but the most exciting thing is taking the rest of my classmates with me. Not only going to the Supercars for the first time is a big thing for them, but many of them have never been on a plane.

“II can’t wait for them to experience everything. They’re all so excited to see some car racing and hopefully the drivers can get a win for them.

“It’s such an amazing opportunity for us and we really appreciate everything that Ampol and the wider Red Bull Ampol Racing team have done for us.”

Feeney said: “I love the artwork on the car, it looks awesome! I always like change; the matte, the white, it’s come together well — it looks pretty damn cool.

“I just remember last year how special it was showing the kids through the design on the car. You remind yourself how cool it is for those guys to come in and experience what’s normal for us.

"I’m looking forward to having them join us up in Darwin for the race weekend. The student who has designed this year’s artwork is also named Brock so that’s a cool coincidence."

Van Gisbergen added: “To hear from the students about the story of the artwork, really helped me to get a better understanding of their story — there was a lot more behind it than I initially thought.

"Learning what all the elements represent was really cool to get a full understanding of what it all means as a whole. There is a lot more to the story than it looks like, but once you understand it, it’s pretty cool."

Whincup said: “I can honestly say when I saw it for the first time I was truly blown away.

“To have the Clontarf students travel to Darwin with the team, many of them not having been on a plane before, is really humbling… I can’t wait to give these kids an unforgettable experience at the Darwin Triple Crown."

Jenny O’Regan, Ampol Australia Chief Brand Officer, added: "It is truly special to once again see our partnerships with Clontarf and Red Bull Ampol Racing connect in the form of this beautiful Indigenous livery ahead of the upcoming Darwin Triple Crown.

"Our relationship with Clontarf is longstanding and plays a crucial role in Ampol driving positive change in the communities in which we operate.

"I am pleased that Clontarf will be represented across the entire weekend with the presence of livery designer Brock Compton and his peers from Brisbane's Ambrose Treacy College Academy.

"Brock's outstanding 'Spirit of the Driver' design couldn’t be more apt as it personifies the ongoing journey and successes of Shane and Broc, and the manner that they continue to proudly represent Red Bull Ampol Racing.”

Tickets for this weekend’s betr Darwin Triple Crown are on sale now. Supercars are on track on all three days of the June 16-18 event.