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In
a first for V8 Supercars, Vodafone and Red Dust Role Models have
partnered to transform the TeamVodafone livery for Round 6 of the V8
Supercar Championship Series at Darwin ’s Hidden Valley Raceway this
weekend.
The
design aims to raise awareness of the invaluable work Red Dust Role
Models undertakes to improve the health and well-being of disadvantaged
indigenous youth in remote Australia .
Created
by aboriginal artist Raymond Walters Japanangka, an indigenous Red Dust
Role Model, the distinctive livery draws strong influence from
traditional aboriginal artistry. For the first time, Vodafone’s rocket
red make way for earthy tones detailed in a range of circular patterns
that represent the individuality of each remote community.
The
car was unveiled at the Daily River community today where Lowndes,
Whincup and eight Vodafone staff took a Vodafone Passion Day (a paid day
away from work to spend with a community organisation), to work as Red
Dust Role Models.
Ramana
James, Head of the Vodafone Australia Foundation, said the new
livery is a statement of Vodafone’s support for Red Dust Role Models
and the fantastic work they do in the community.
“Vodafone
is in a unique position to support community organisations such as Red
Dust Role Models through our sponsorship partners and our people.
“Giving
Red Dust a presence on-track this weekend will hopefully alert people to
the significant community support they offer to remote aboriginal
communities,” he said
Multiple
championship and Bathurst-winner Craig Lowndes said that the livery was
an incredible piece of artwork.
“It
is so important to deliver positive messages to disadvantaged youth –
and it’s great to be spreading the word to the wider Australian
community as well,” said Lowndes.
Along
with Whincup, Lowndes is one of hundreds of Vodafone representatives who
will take a Passion Day to support a community organisation this year.
In
2007 alone, Vodafone’s people and partners helped touch the lives of
over 10,000 young people, and in 2008, Vodafone is committing to a
further 1400 community passion days, equating to 200 weeks and over
10,000 hours of real action.
“Imagine
if everyone in Australia spent one day a year working with charities to
better our environment and communities – the impact would be
tremendous,” said Lowndes.
A
limited edition polo shirt, featuring the Raymond Walters Japanangka’s
artwork, will be available for purchase at the TeamVodafone Merchandise
stand on-track this weekend. Five dollars from the sale of each shirt
will be donated to Red Dust.
Following
the weekend’s racing, Vodafone is donating a door and a bonnet from
one of the TeamVodafone Falcons to be auctioned on eBay, with proceeds
to go to Red Dust.
We’re
still on track for the title, Tander tells Toll HRT fans
Reigning
V8 Supercar champion Garth Tander has moved to reassure Toll Holden
Racing Team fans that his title defence remains on track despite a
troubled run at the recent Sandown sprint round.
Tander
conceded the championship lead at Sandown after finishing seventh for
the weekend, but approaching this weekend’s sixth round at Darwin ’s
Hidden Valley Raceway, trails Ford driver Mark Winterbottom by just 52
points.
There
are 300 points up for grabs across the three sprint races to be
contested.
He
said the Sandown result was a minor speed-hump in a season still short
of its half-way point. “The championship is a long way from over,
there’s a lot of racing to happen between now and December,” he said
this week.
“The
last two years it’s come down to the last race of the season and this
year’s going to be no different.”
Tander
and team-mate Mark Skaife had difficulty finding the right set-up at
Sandown in damp, constantly changing conditions but anticipate no such
problems at Hidden Valley , where Toll HRT has won four V8 Supercar
rounds in the hot, sunny conditions for which the round is famous.
Skaife,
who has won two of those rounds (2000, 2002), expects to be fully
recovered from a bout of the ‘flu by the time he steps off the plane
this week.
He
almost added to his Hidden Valley tally last year, getting the weekend
off to a flying start with victory in the first race. “I could quite
possibly have had another round win up there, but for the bump that Todd
and I had at the start of Race 2 last year,” he said this week. He
recovered to finish 3rd for the weekend.
Tander,
in his first season with Toll HRT, said he considered the round one of
the season’s highlights. “I’ve always enjoyed the race in Darwin ,
always enjoyed the circuit and the challenge,” he said.
“It’s
obviously in a fairly different climate to what we experience during the
rest of the season, so we always look forward to the trip.”
Tander
said he was reassured by his team’s strong record at Hidden Valley ,
but was not counting on it to secure victory and wrest back the
championship lead.
“Toll
HRT’s record is second to none there, but everyone’s very
competitive at the moment and what you’ve achieved in the past
doesn’t really mean you’re going to repeat it in the present,” he
said.
“We
are prepared as we can be and we’re intent on having a strong weekend
after what transpired at Sandown, but we’re not relying on what’s
been achieved in the past. It’s all about today.”
Skaife,
one of the category’s most experienced drivers, said he was looking
forward to the debut of a new Dunlop control tyre which has been
designed to improve sustainability.
“I’m
in favour of anything that improves the quality of racing for our fans
and sponsors and I think a small change that might deliver better
performance can only add some interest and excitement to our racing,”
he said.
Qualifying
and Race 1 will kick off the SKYCITY Triple Crown on Saturday, June 5,
with two races to conclude the round on Sunday, July 6.
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