A matching pair of Shell Helix Falcons will carry DJR Team Penske into battle for the first round of the 2016 V8 Supercars Championship at the Clipsal 500 Adelaide.
Through partner and exclusive Shell licensee Viva Energy Australia, Fabian Coulthard and Scott Pye will race with the latest yellow-and-red Shell Helix colours in a relationship with the team that stretches back almost 50 years.
Shell has been a backer of Dick Johnson since the 1960s and also has a long and successful association with Team Penske in the United States.
The Shell Helix brand will adorn Pye’s car #17 at additional marquee events later in the season, with DJR Team Penske continuing to adopt the rolling sponsorship model this year.
“Over the years we have enjoyed fantastic support and genuine friendship from many people at Shell and Viva Energy,” Johnson said.
“Last year Scott Pye delivered fourth in Darwin and fifth in Townsville with the Shell Helix Falcon and we’re looking for even better this year.”
Viva Energy Australia General Manager Sales Daniel Ridgway said: “Our relationship with DJR Team Penske goes beyond a sponsorship.
“We work together as partners on and off the track, technically with the race team and commercially with the Penske businesses. Shell has a long tradition of taking what is learned from the track and transferring that knowledge into high quality products.”
The Shell Helix livery was popular in 2015 and DJR Team Penske Managing Director Ryan Story says a new look will boost the impact in 2016.
“Last year’s Shell Helix livery was definitely a fan favourite. We had generations of fans all telling us that it was one of the best looking cars out there,” said Story.
“As good as the car looks, it’s just the tip of the iceberg in our expanded partnership with Viva Energy. They share an extensive and successful commercial arrangement with Penske Transportation Group International here in Australia which makes the 2016 partnership even more important for the team.”
For Viva Energy Australia’s Lubricants Marketing Manager Max Lane, the V8 Supercars program in 2016 is a year-long celebration.
“We are excited to have Shell Helix as a major partner of DJR Team Penske once again in 2016 and extend the long history the Shell brand has had with Dick Johnson Racing. We are proud of the major role the Shell brand has played in Australian motorsport and with Team Penske internationally as it celebrates its 50th year in motorsport.”
Both cars hit the track at Queensland Raceway today, with Coulthard shaking down his brand new Ford Falcon FG X and Pye completing a ride day.
