Steve Richards and Mark Winterbottom have unveiled their striking new liveries for the 2009 V8 Supercar Championship Series at the Ford Performance Racing headquarters today.

The #6 Castrol FPR Falcon, to be driven in 2009 by Richards, is one of the most colourful liveries that will hit the circuit this year with the Castrol EDGE logo dominating the side of the new FG Falcon. The livery incorporates a blend of Castrol’s corporate colours while blending with a significant amount of blue to highlight the support by the manufacturer for the team.

This year marks the third successive year that Castrol has enjoyed a major partnership with Richards at the factory-backed team and the dual Bathurst Champion is excited about the year ahead.

“I can’t wait to get back in the car, particularly since it’s a new model and a brand new car; it’s like every driver’s dream so I feel like I’ve got a second Christmas present coming!” said Richards.

“The guys at FPR have been working pretty hard over the off season to be fully prepared for the upcoming Championship with a pair of brand new FG Falcons.

“While we won’t know how much difference there will be between the BF (last year’s car) and the FG (the new model) until we take to the track in Adelaide, I’m confident that we are in for a great year in 2009 as we set our sights on the top step of the podium.”

Winterbottom’s Castrol-backed #5 Orrcon FPR Falcon is predominantly blue and silver while incorporating the Castrol masterbrand logo on the bonnet and boot.

Winterbottom believes the new livery is one of the sharpest he has seen for a number of years.

“I think this year’s car looks pretty cool, with the car being predominantly blue and silver it blends itself well to the impressive new Orrcon Steel logo on the side of the car,” said Winterbottom, who finished runner-up in the 2008 Championship.

“If it goes anywhere near as good as it looks, I think we are in for one hell of a year.”

Andrew Johnson, Castrol Director of Marketing, believes the 2009 liveries highlight the strength of the Company’s association with the factory-backed Ford outfit.

“This year continues our long term involvement with FPR, also it is our third consecutive year that we have had one of our long term Ambassadors driving a FPR Falcon. We, at Castrol, are looking forward to working with the team at FPR, the drivers and other sponsors chasing success in the Championship this year. Over the past few years, both Steven and Mark have grown to be an integral part of our business and we are looking forward to both the Castrol backed FPR Falcons taking to the track with their striking new liveries,” said Andrew.

The team will get to shake the cars down on March 3 before their first test day, which will be conducted at the Winton Motor Raceway on March 9 with the opening round of the 2009 Championship to be held on the Adelaide Street Circuit on March 19 – 22.
The livery will be shown in public for the first time at the FPV Open Day to be conducted at the FPV Factory and FPR Workshop on Sunday, March 1.

Should you have any queries relating to the aforementioned media release, please contact Castrol’s Sponsorship & PR Manager, Sue Dilger, on 0419 023 945.