Team 18 has lifted the covers off Mark Winterbottom’s #18 IRWIN Racing Holden ZB Commodore for the 2022 Repco Supercars Championship.

2022 marks the fourth successive year that Winterbottom will represent the iconic blue and yellow of IRWIN Tools, one of the leading brands of the world’s largest tools and storage company, Stanley Black & Decker.

IRWIN hits the track in 2022 in partnership with their exclusive retailer Bunnings Warehouse, with increased branding along the flanks of the #18 showcasing Bunnings Trade.

This year’s livery was created by renowned designer Nick Moss and brought to life by PPG paint and Ball & Doggett vinyl.

IRWIN Racing also welcomes returning team partners Fuchs Lubricants, Hino Trucks, Century Batteries, Seiko Watches, Kenworth Trucks, Goodyear Fleet, Barry Bourke Motors, Manitou, Waverley Forklifts, ELWD Workwear, Taubmans, Bell Collision, Super Spill Solutions, D2N Technology, Ball & Doggett, King Springs, K&N Filters, Bolle Safety, Air Allied Sales, Credence Insurance, Ozwide Joinery, Styleprint and Out There Branding.

Team Owner Charlie Schwerkolt is excited to show off the IRWIN Racing colours for this season and is backing Winterbottom to fight at the front this season.

2021 saw Winterbottom finish 10th in the standings, highlighted by a hat-trick of top-five finishes to start the season at Bathurst and Sandown.

2022 marks his 19th season in the main game as a full-time driver, with the 2013 Bathurst 1000 winner and 2015 Supercars Champion eager to return to the front with Team 18.

Winterbottom will get behind the wheel of the IRWIN Racing Supercar for the official pre-season test at Winton Motor Raceway tomorrow (22 February), before the first round of the 2022 Repco Supercars Championship at the Beaurepaires Sydney SuperNight on March 4-6, live on Channel 7 and Fox Sports.

QUOTES

Charlie Schwerkolt, Team Owner – IRWIN Racing, Team 18

“We are so proud to represent IRWIN Racing and Bunnings Trade for our fourth-year in succession and to take the cover off our 2022 livery which looks the business,” said Schwerkolt.

“We have enjoyed our partnership with IRWIN Tools together with Bunnings Warehouse and it’s been growing from strength to strength each year.

“It’s exciting to welcome back our major partners in Fuchs Lubricants, Century Batteries, Hino Trucks and Seiko, as well as all our new and returning sponsors.

“Frosty is hungry to get back to the top, I can see it in his eyes and we’re all ultra-committed to get there. We haven’t thought about Gen-3 yet, we’re fully focussed on improving our package this year and fighting for podiums and strong finishes. 

“It’s been a busy off-season for the hard-working crew at Team 18 and they’re all pumped to get back on track and provide the best package we can for our drivers to get out there and perform at their best.”

Mark Winterbottom, Driver – #18 IRWIN Racing Holden ZB Commodore

“I love the livery and the fact that IRWIN and Bunnings have been with us for our whole journey with Charlie and Team 18. You look at the car with Fuchs on the white bonnet, I love it, and we’re proud that our sponsors have continued to support and believe in us and it’s our job now to deliver,” said Winterbottom.

“I’ve been at the top before, I know what it takes, but I want to win races, podiums and championships with Charlie and that’s why I signed up to this team and until we do that I’m not satisfied. 

“I’m working hard behind the scenes in the gym and our preparation has been fantastic. My determination is higher than ever, I’m fit, I’m hungry and I want to win it.

“We’re very lucky here at Team 18, our personnel are the envy of pit lane and a few of them have tried to be poached, so it’s a complement that we have good people. 

“On my car we have the same people, I’ve got the same engineer in Manuel Sanchez for the last couple of years and we have gelled really well. We have Rory Jackermis who has come back on as my data engineer after we lost him during the COVID period, and two number-one mechanics in Josh and Kieron, so we’re well equipped for the year ahead.

“The cars have had a big revamp over Christmas, more than probably most teams have done to their cars, and our personnel is great, so if we get everything right we can win races and that’s what we need to deliver, no excuses.

“I think the sport is in a good place. It’s a shame that Newcastle couldn’t happen for Round 1 but the fact that it’s going to happen later is great, those street circuits really showcase the sport at its best. With hints of Adelaide coming back, Gold Coast coming up later in the year, Sydney under lights to start the year, we’re travelling again and COVID is sort of behind us now which is great and we can get on with putting on a show. With the new owners who have come into the sport and want to make it better, we’re in a good position and can’t wait to kick it off next week.”

Daniel Keyse, Marketing Director – Brand, Communications, Training & Licensing, Stanley Black & Decker

“It is exciting to see the blue and yellow colours on the Team 18 race car again this year, the IRWIN brand has a huge year ahead and it will only be strengthened by the presence at the track.”

“Our exclusive partnership with Bunnings Warehouse has continued to prove extremely beneficial for both parties and we are looking forward to a successful season.”

“This year we have seen a lot of work going into the cars, the livery but thankfully, the driver and the personnel have not changed much – some things, we know, needs no changes.”