Iconic colours return to Aston Martin
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The famous racing blue and vibrant orange of Gulf Oil will return to Mount Panorama as part of the Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour this weekend.
The #14 Aston Martin Vantage GT3, to be run by Sydney-based GT3 squad Volante Rosso Motorsport, will carry the iconic Gulf colours to the mountain as the team aims for success in the once-around-the-clock sportscar endurance race.
Gulf and motorsport go hand in hand. The oil brand has adorned the flanks of many famous race cars and teams over the years, including enduring partnerships with Ford, McLaren and Porsche.
From 2008 to 2016, Gulf and Aston Martin partnered for what would be a successful spell on the track, including winning the Le Mans Series in 2009.
At the Bathurst 12 Hour this weekend, an exciting trio of young guns will represent Volante Rosso Motorsport and Gulf, constituting the youngest driver lineup on the grid. Australian Jaylen Robotham, 22, will be joined by British driver Jamie Day, 19, and Ecuadorian Mateo Villagomez, 22.
Track action kicks off on Friday with practice followed by qualifying on Saturday and the 12 Hour race on Sunday, starting at 5:45am AEDT.
“Gulf Oil Australia is very excited to be joining forces with Volante Rosso for the Bathurst 12 Hour in its amazing Aston Martin,” said Michael Ridley-Smith, Director, Gulf Oils Australia
“The iconic blue and orange colours of Gulf Oil have been involved in endurance racing for many decades and in recent times have had a close association with the Aston Martin brand in European racing.
“We cannot wait to see this legacy continue with the Volante Rosso Vantage GT3 and we are very happy to support the young talented drivers in the team.
“As we say at Gulf Oil, Together, we are unstoppable.”
Added Volante Rosso's Chris Papadopoulos: “Aston Martin and Gulf have a long history that goes back to their great Le Mans efforts in the 2000s and 2010s,” said Papadopoulos.
“It’s fantastic to bring these two icons of motorsport back together for the Bathurst 12 Hour.
“I’m really excited about our driver line-up. All three drivers are excellent talent, and despite their age, are mature beyond their years.
“Our team has a long history of giving young talent an opportunity to prove themselves. We enjoy that process and we can’t wait to get to the mountain and see how we fare against the world’s best.”
