Driver Shane van Gisbergen and TEKNO Autosports team owner Jonathon Webb took the covers off the ‘STIX’ Darrell Lea VF Commodore at TEKNO’s headquarters, at Stapylton, Brisbane, today.
The Queensland-based Holden team heads into the new season with plenty of momentum, having achieved its best results in the sport in 2014.
New Zealander Van Gisbergen finished the season championship runner-up, with eight race wins – and was the only driver to get close to six-time champion Jamie Whincup’s 14 victories.
Naturally, the aim for 2015 is to build on the strength and consistency required for a V8SC title campaign – something that Webb says the team is well set-up for.
“We can’t wait to get started with season 2015, which blasts off at next month’s Clipsal 500 in Adelaide,” Webb said.
“Over the break, we’ve been working hard to make improvements right across the board – and running just one Commodore allows us to focus our energies on getting that right for the new season.
“We’ve got a tight, little team together comprising the best from the pitlane, and that consistency carries through into 2015.
“And in our new title sponsor, iconic Australian brand Darrell Lea, we’ve proven the power of V8 Supercars and TEKNO Autosports as a world-class platform for marketing Fast Moving Consumer Goods.
“So we have all the right ingredients for an even sweeter season this year.”
TEKNO Autosports General Manager, Steve Hallam echoed Webb’s comments.
“The skill in any racing organisation is to use what resources you have as wisely as possible; to be an efficient and effective operation,” Hallam said.
“And the way we went racing in 2014 worked very well for us. We’re essentially looking to carry on that model this year with a couple of modifications based on the evolution of the team and its experience.”
The team’s evolution for the new season is contrasted by a striking new look for its Holden VF Commodore.
Gone is the famous VIP Petfoods black with yellow paw prints scheme that has been part of Australian motor sport since the late 1990s.
In its place, a new orange and black Darrell Lea-focused livery promoting ‘STIX’, the iconic Australian brand’s chocolate-filled liquorice confectionary taking the country by storm.
And it’s a new look that Van Gisbergen can’t wait to take on the road, starting with next week’s V8 SuperTest in Sydney.
“The new Commodore looks great with the STIX branding, and while my dog and cat are upset that the VIP Petfoods livery is gone, a new partnership with Darrell Lea is very special,” Van Gisbergen said.
“We had a really strong end to the season last year, so we want to build on that and start the season in Adelaide on the front foot.
“The first few rounds are important as they set up your year, and give you the momentum and the points on the board to be able to fight for the title.”
For entrepreneur Tony Quinn, a long-time passionate supporter of motorsport, and owner of both VIP Petfoods and Darrell Lea, the time was right for the iconic Aussie confectionary brand to take centre stage.
“VIP Petfoods is Australia’s number one selling brand of fresh, chilled petfood – and V8 Supercars has been fantastic for its branding and growth,” Quinn said.
“The black and yellow VIP Petfoods Commodore with paw prints has become famous, and in the hands of Shane van Gisbergen a front-running force.
“We’re incredibly proud of what the team has been able to achieve over the past few years with wins at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide, at Shane’s home race in New Zealand, masterful displays in the wet at Sydney Motor Sport Park, and back-to-back wins at the Sydney 500.
“VIP Petfoods has become an established success story with the help of our V8SC program, and we want to do the same for Darrell Lea – the timing is right and it’s an extension of our strategy for the brand to reclaim its former glory.”
The Darrell Lea/Lucas Oil Commodore will run in anger at next week’s two-day test at Sydney Motor Sport Park, before racing gets underway in Adelaide at the season-opening Clipsal 500 from February 26-March 1.
