New season's colours

The painters and decorators have been the busiest men in the workshops in the off-season as sponsorship changes — many of them major — have changed the appearance of much of the field.

So when the cars roll out for the traditional opening of the championship season in Adelaide (March 1-4) quite a few fans will struggle to recognise the cars of their favourite drivers.

Not that many of the teams ever stay the same from year to year. Regenerative merchandising is a lucrative business in all sports and even the most subtle changes to the livery of a race team can result in merchandising bonuses.

But this year some of the better-known teams have been burning the midnight oil as major sponsors prepare to shout their presence to the grandstands.

This year's series consists of 14 rounds, with just two international events — in New Zealand and Bahrain.

The V8s will not appear at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne this year because of a scheduling clash — a pity really because

V8 officials had prised hard-won concessions from the Grand Prix Corporation as far as merchandising was concerned. But there is every chance the V8 teams, which relish the idea of promoting themselves and their sponsors before the huge crowds at the grand prix, will be back next year, given a more accommodating calendar.

With the paint brushes barely dry in the workshops, here is a look at the colour of things to come this season:

First off the block was Triple Eight Engineering which, even before the end of last season, telegraphed its association with the giant Vodafone telecommunications company. Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup will both pilot a bright orange-red Team Vodafone Falcon after the Betta Electrical sponsorship bit the dust.

Sticking with Blue Oval, the Ford Performance Racing team has launched a new-look Falcon for Steve Richards with the Castrol Edge logo prominent on the green and red background.

Stone Brothers will send out the exciting young gun James Courtney in new livery for the Jeld-Wen Windows and Doors mob.

Dick Johnson Racing's reprieve came late but turned out to be worth waiting for with Jim Beam adorning the side of both his cars — and prominently so.

Britek Motorsport has owner Jason Bright running things this year, as well as driving, and Fujitsu has stuck, while Irwin Tools will go around on the second Alan Gurr car.

On the Holden side, all eyes are on HRT.

The team which leads merchandise sales in the sport usually comes up with annual changes, even if sometimes they are a bit subtle. The launch of the new-look car was delayed last week but was unveiled yesterday as a brighter red than last year, another convert to the day-glo image, with the addition of a bit more black.

Tasman Motorsport — with Greg Murphy joining Jason Richards for an all-Kiwi combination this year — has again opted for a segmented sponsorship with the team offering individual sponsorship at different rounds.

The controversial Firepower company is expected to make a powerful impression — but over just four rounds.

The Jack Daniel's rivalry with Jim Beam this year looks to be as emphatic as Holden v Ford, with Jim Beam not only joining forces with Dick Johnson, but also grabbing prominence as a V8 championship sponsor.

Larry Perkins' cars remain predominantly in the Jack Daniel's sponsors' colours, albeit with a bit more white striping this season. Super Cheap Auto, with Cam McConville and Paul Dumbrell driving together this season, seems to have survived a turbulent

12 months on the Stock Exchange and is back again with Paul Weel Racing.

Even Garry Rogers has hired a signwriter and redesigned his two Holdens to carry prominent Valvoline and Cummins signs for the cars which carry the hopes of two young drivers who were quite impressive last year — Dean Canto and Lee Holdsworth.

The Sirromet Wines car of Paul Morris is changed to a basic white background this year.

John Bowe, having announced this will be his last year in a V8 Supercar, will roll out the Glenfords Falcon for Paul Cruickshank Racing bearing the racing No.111 as a tribute to Cruickshank's friend Mark Porter, who was killed at Bathurst last year.

And for the champ?

Well, Rick Kelly's Toll HSV signage is again the prominent part of the livery for both he and teammate Garth Tander.

As far as Kelly is concerned, the change from the No.15 to the No.1 is small but nevertheless significant.

RAY KERSHLER'S TOP 10 DRIVERS

HOLDEN

Rick Kelly: Defending champion in a well-heeled team. Under pressure to produce back-to-back championships now the point system has been restructured.

Garth Tander: May be the main threat to his Toll HSV teammate,

Rick Kelly. Unlucky last year when team tactics backfired and undermined his chances.

Todd Kelly: The elder of the Kelly brothers. His team will be determined to restore some pride in the famous HRT brand and they have the backing to do so.

Greg Murphy: Will form a formidable partnership with Jason Richards. In his fifth team in 11 years, Murphy might at last settle in as a championship contender.

ROUGHIE

Dean Canto: Young driver who was consistent last year in a solid team. Has been given the chance to express himself this year when speed will count.

FORD

Craig Lowndes: In the eyes of Ford fans he is the defacto champ. Well drilled team will be striving to go one better for their star this year and may well do so.

Steve Richards: Swapped over from Holden and should slot straight into a high profile Ford team.

Another driver who will relish the revamped points system.

Mark Winterbottom: Backing up from a tremendous season where he proved himself both quick and tactically adroit.

Same team helps. And so does a new partner.

James Courtney: Will start his second V8 season with immense confidence after a superb rookie year. Could be the surprise packet in the field.

ROUGHIE

Jason Bright: Normally a front-runner, he has moved to take control of his own team. That may take time. He will need luck but has the speed to make his presence felt.