DJR CELEBRATE 1988 ATCC WIN WITH RETRO LIVERY

DJR Team Penske to pay tribute to the teams rich history at Sandown – Photo: Supplied

DJR Team Penske will celebrate the teams’ rich heritage at this years Sandown 500 ‘Retro Round’.

Both of the Shell V-Power Racing Team cars will wear the colours of Dick Johnson’s 1988 Australian Touring Car Championship winning Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth, celebrating the 30th anniversary of his achievement.

The return of the famous DJR ‘red devils’ is fully outlined in this week’s AUTO ACTION magazine, on sale tomorrow.

We also a full round-up of which teams will be running heritage liveries at next week’s Sandown 500 retro round, plus a full guide to the old school-themed activities celebrating Australia’s rich touring car racing history.

Both Scott McLaughlin and Fabian Coulthard’s Shell V-Power Fords will race in a special one-off, all-red livery reminiscent of the famous colours of Dick Johnson Racing in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The team will run the colours of Dick Johnson’s 1988 ATCC winning Ford Sierra – Photo: Supplied

The 1988 season was a particularly dominant one for Dick Johnson Racing, with Johnson and his then teammate John Bowe taking victory in eight of the nine rounds. It was Johnson’s fourth Australian Touring Car title, with Bowe finishing second in the points for a Shell 1-2.

Johnson, now co-owner of the front-running Virgin Australia Supercars outfit Shell V-Power Racing Team, has fond memories of that era.

“Those Sierras were the best Touring Cars on the planet, and we were completely and totally on top of our game,” said Johnson.

“Seeing that classic livery on these cars is very special and brings back many great memories. It’s hard to believe it’s been 30 years, but amazing to relive those fantastic times and see that livery back on track.

“Hopefully we can be as successful at Sandown as we were throughout the ’88 season.”

Shell V-Power Racing Team will compete in the Sandown 500 at Sandown International Raceway across the weekend of September 14-16.

Pick up tomorrow’s edition of Auto Action for more Sandown retro details. Also make sure you follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or our weekly email newsletter for all the latest updates between issues.