It’s been an eventful start to the year for the Shell V-Power Racing Team.

The 2023 season saw the introduction of a new generation of supercars, and Shell V-Power Racing Team’s Gen3 Ford Mustang GT Supercar hasn’t disappointed. Sporting a refreshed look on its iconic livery, the new supercar has broken new ground, while still paying homage to the Shell V-Power cars that fans have come to know and love. It should come as no surprise then that Rheem were happy to continue their partnership with the team for the seventh consecutive year.

“Shell V-Power Racing, Dick Johnson and Rheem are all industry leaders who apply industry best practice, innovation and excellence in the areas that we operate in,” Chris Taylor, Rheem Australia Managing Director, confirmed. “That’s why Rheem is very excited to be once again partnering with the Shell V-Power Racing Team on and off the track.”

After a slow start to the year, the team recently took out a hard-fought win in Townsville. Racing in the new Gen3 Ford Mustang GT, Shell V-Power Racing Team driver Anton DePasquale claimed first place in Race 17 of the Repco Supercars Championship, which was the team’s first win for the season.

“It’s awesome to be sitting up here again and to get a trophy for the whole team,” De Pasquale said after the win. “Everyone at Shell V-Power Racing Team has been working hard. We haven’t had a great start to the season but we’ve slowly been turning that around and today everything worked out for us.”

Fresh off their first win for the year, the Shell V-Power Racing Team announced some more exciting news: their first ever wildcard entry into the Repco Bathurst 1000. The third Shell V-Power Ford Mustang GT will be driven by experienced Supercars and 5-time Bathurst driver Simona De Silvestro and rising star Kai Allen. De Silvestro was the first full-time female driver in the Supercars Championship (2017), is a former IndyCar driver and current Porsche Factory driver – and she can’t wait to take on the famous Mount Panorama race track.

“I am thrilled to race back at the iconic track in Bathurst and want to thank DJR and Shell V-Power for this amazing opportunity,” she says. “Four years has been too long but who would have thought in 2019 that I would not be able to travel to Australia for such a long time. I am looking forward to teaming up with young talent Kai and I am sure we will make a great team.”

David Noble, Chief Executive Officer of Dick Johnson Racing, is equally excited about the news.

“This wildcard entry has been a long time coming for Dick Johnson Racing and we are extremely excited about it. To have the enthusiasm and talent of Kai mixed with the experience of Simona is the perfect combination. Of course, this wildcard entry wouldn’t be possible without the support of our wonderful long-standing partners Viva Energy Australia (Shell Licensee), WM Waste, Rheem and Pivotel, thank you.”

Rheem couldn’t be prouder of the team, and we can’t wait to see them in action at Mount Panorama!

Rheem proudly supports Save the Kiwi to achieve their goal and take kiwi from endangered to everywhere. If you’d like to take part and help save New Zealand’s national icon, go to www.savethekiwi.nz/donate – Your donation will help hatch and raise kiwi chicks in safety, increase kiwi populations, and protect wild kiwi habitat.