Repco grabs naming rights for Bathurst 1000

Repco, Australasia’s leading provider of automotive aftermarket parts and accessories, has sealed a multi-year deal as the naming rights sponsor of the Bathurst 1000.

The five-year agreement with the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship will start from 2021. 

Repco is no stranger to motorsport having entered a partnership with the Shell V-Power Racing Team in 2018 before becoming the official automotive retailer of the Supercars series. 

The company, which employs about 5,000 people in Australia and New Zealand, will become the 11th sponsor to take naming rights for the flagship event. It says it made the move to better engage its customers, who it describes as passionate about cars and enthusiastic Supercars fans. 

Jamie Walton, executive general manager merchandise and marketing for Repco ANZ, adds: “Motorsport is part of Repco’s DNA. The Bathurst sponsorship will further enhance our commitment to the Repco crew and our passionate customers. It also ensures motorsport is a significant part of our future.”

Sean Seamer, chief executive of Supercars, is delighted at Repco’s support and describes the new partnership as a major endorsement of the sport. 

Rich history

Repco’s involvement in motorsport began with engine manufacturing almost 100 years ago. It partnered with Sir Jack Brabham in the 1960s with three Formula 1 Grand Prix wins in the BT19, powered by a Repco Brabham engine. 

In the 1970s, Repco developed and built the F5000 engine for Formula 5000 racing, which also won races in the Australian Grand Prix, the New Zealand Grand Prix, the Australian Driver’s Championship, and the Australian Sports Car Championship.

Through the same era, a version of the F5000 won the Australia Touring Car Championship, including success at Bathurst.