Supercars: Sandown 500 2018 retro liveries

Like last year, we’re listing all the retro liveries set to grace Sandown Raceway this weekend for the Supercars Sandown 500.

From Castrol to Chickadee, here are the cars you can expect to see tearing up the outer-Melbourne circuit.

Dick Johnson Racing Team Penske: Dick Johnson's 1988 Sierra

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DJR is harking back to one of Johnson’s most iconic cars, the dominant Sierra raced alongside John Bowe 30 years ago, ultimately to take the title for that year.

“Seeing that classic livery on these cars is very special and brings back many great memories,” Johnson says.

It’s hard to believe it’s been 30 years, but amazing to relive those fantastic times and see that livery back on track.”

Erebus: Chickadee Commodore and Celica

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Our PCOTY 2018 driver David Reynolds will share with co-driver Luke Youlden a livery based on that of the Chickadee Racing VK Commodore SS from 1986.

“This has to be one of my favourite cars and even though I was only one when it raced, it was a standout growing up,” Reynolds says.

That car went on to win the Bathurst 1000 that year with Allan Grice and Graeme Bailey driving.

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“It was a win against-the-odds; a little team who started second on the grid and defeated the favourites, exactly like we did.”

Alongside it is the car of Anton De Pasquale and Will Brown, wearing a similar livery based on the 1982 Sandown Class C-winning Chickadee Toyota Celica

Garry Rogers Motorsport: Rogers’ Torana A9X and Rogers’ VH Commodore

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The Torana the Garth Tander/Chris Pither #33 car is based on was actually written off by Rogers (who bought it from Bob Jane) before it had a chance to find success with him at the wheel.

After drama relating to his entry into the ’78 Bathurst 1000, Garry Rogers (read the history at the GRM site, it’s very interesting) bought Bob Jane’s entry and raced alongside Ian Geoghegan.

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“As much as the Bob Jane A9X did not provide any great memories with regards to results, it does remind me of the persistency and never give up attitude that is required in Motorsport and more particularly, life!” Rogers says.

The #34 car is based on the black livery of Rogers’ Soundwave Discos VH Commodore.

Tickford: Supercheap BA Falcon

Tickford has brough the livery of Steven Ellery and Luke Youlden’s 2004 Supercheap BA Falcon back for this year.

“We dug deep into the Supercheap Auto raw history and we picked out an absolute winner for this weekend’s Sandown 500,” says Chaz Mostert.

“I’m pretty excited, I’m pretty close friends with the Ellery family so to go back to his ’04 retro livery looks pretty cool.

“I’m actually pretty jealous of the lines this car carries. I wish we could carry it for the rest of the year, but we’ll see if we can convince the team after the weekend.”

Walkinshaw Andretti: 2008 VE Commodore

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Scott Pye, Warren Luff, James Courtney, and Jack Perkins will take to the track in cars honouring the 2008 livery of Mark Skaife, from his final year driving full-time for HRT.

Inspired by the 2008 Holden Racing Team VE Commodore, the cars utilise the ‘Toll’ theme adapted to its current sponsors, Mobil and Boost.

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Nissan Motorsport: 2002 Castrol Commodore and ‘60s throwback

Nissan is here honouring a Commodore, or more accurate Commodores, the Castrol-Perkins 2002 Commodores of Russell Ingall, Steven Richards and Larry Perkins.

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““This car is particularly special for me because 2002 was my first full-time year in the Championship,” says Rick Kelly.

“So it’s quite surreal to see a car that I raced against, but with my name on it.”

Alongside Kelly, Simona De Silvestroʼs Nissan Altima will wear a non-specific retro livery, which is based on the style of racers from the 1960s.

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“Sandown is a lot of fun with the retro theme,” De Silvestro says.

“Itʼs a very serious weekend with a lot of points on offer, but itʼs also something thatʼs a bit different. A racing stripe is always worth a few tenths, for sure.”

Brad Jones Racing: Bob Jane HQ Monaro GTS350 and John Blanchard’s 1993 BMW M3

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BJR is honouring Bob Jane’s iconic HQ Monaro GTS350, possibly one of the most recognisable cars of its time.

The #21 car is now decked out in bright yellow to honour its driver’s father, John Blanchard, who drive a similarly-coloured BMW M3 during the 1993 Australian Touring Car Championship.

Preston Hire Racing: 1968 HK Monaro

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A big call has been made, as Preston Hire Racing honours the first Holden to win the Bathurst 1000, the #13 Monaro driven by Bruce McPhee and Barry Mulholland.

Lee Holdsworth is confident, saying:

“There couldn’t be a more appropriate livery for Preston hire racing heading into the endurance season.

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“This scheme represents the livery of an underdog team that lead Holden to their first win at the mountain 50 years ago.

“We all start with a clean slate of points for the Pirtek Enduro Cup. Brighty and I will be pushing hard to spring a surprise result.”

23Red Racing: Old-school cream

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The Milwaukee Falcon isn’t drawing on any specific car here, like DeSilvestro’s Nissan, though it does remins us a little of the colours seen on the first Bathurst-winning Holden – the same HK Monaro which Preston Hire Racing based its livery on.