Video: Bottle-O racing livery revealed

For the twelfth consecutive year The Bottle-O’s iconic green will be present in Australian Supercars, adorning Mark Winterbottom’s Ford Falcon FG X in 2018, the third year in which the former Supercars champion will sport the distinguished green of the independent retail liquor stores.

With over 200 outlets nationwide and placing value on genuine service to its customers, The Bottle-O has become a beloved brand. As a true independent retailer, The Bottle-O’s local stores are owned by individuals with ties to their local community, thus helping to accomplish the objective of providing Real Value to its customers.

For Winterbottom, the 2018 season is about providing real results to his Tickford Racing team and fans, after a disappointing 2017 saw the former Bathurst 1000 winner and series champion go winless for the first time since joining Tickford Racing in 2006. Despite the frustrating year, Winterbottom managed a top six finish in the season championship for the twelfth straight season, the longest active streak in Supercars.

Affectionately known as “Frosty,” Winterbottom enters his 15th season of full-time Supercars competition with a renewed vigor, and is eager to get the season underway.

“I always love this time of the year,” Winterbottom said, “it’s like the first day of school. As a driver you’re always wanting to get back in the car, and I’m ready to get the new season started. Obviously 2017 was a struggle for us, but we finished the year pretty strong which was good. I know we’ve got the ability to run up front, so I’m extremely motivated to get to the pointy end and stay there.”

Team principal and CEO Tim Edwards is also enthusiastic about the upcoming season, in which the team aims to contend for race wins early and often.

“We’re certainly looking forward to the new season with The Bottle-O Racing Team,” Edwards said. “It’s exciting to have their continued support of Tickford Racing, and we have high hopes for what’s ahead. A new season brings new challenges and new goals, but to have the same sponsor and driver in the same car makes things much more comfortable for everyone involved.” Scott Marshall, Chief Executive Officer of Austrlian Liquor Marketers, expressed his excitement for the brand’s twelfth season in Supercars.

“The Bottle-O has had a longstanding presence in Supercars, so it makes sense that we continue with such an accomplished team as Tickford Racing,” Marshall said. “Our partnership with the team has been mutually beneficial, and with Frosty as a great brand ambassador and champion driver, we’re sure that success will continue this eason. We’ve been fortunate to have some great successes over the years in Supercars, and look forward to continuing that with Frosty in 2018.”

The new-look Falcon deviates slightly from the predominantly green and black liveries that have dressed The Bottle-O Ford in recent seasons. The aggressively styled 2018 livery features an eye-catching infusion of white with The Bottle-O’s two main colours, as well as the “triple slashes” symbolic of the Tickford brand.

“I think the car looks sharp,” Winterbottom said. “The aggressive lines and variance of colour make it a bit different than the last couple of years, but it retains that classic green of The Bottle-O, so you’ll definitely know who’s coming whether you’re a fan in the stands or a competitor on the track. It’s a big year ahead and I’m looking forward to getting The Bottle-O Falcon on the track.”

Winterbottom and his No. 5 The Bottle-O Ford will take to the track Friday, 16 February at the annual SuperTest at Sydney Motorsport Park, followed by the season-opening Adelaide 500 March 1-4.