Perkins Engineering: Forging a Legacy in Australian Motorsport

⚙️ Navigating Sponsorship and Car Development

The early 1990s saw Perkins Engineering adapt to changing sponsorship landscapes and vehicle regulations. The 1990 season featured a plain white VL Commodore SS Group A SV, primarily sponsored by "Perkins Engineering" itself, with long-time supporters like Castrol providing ancillary backing. Despite a notable third-place finish at Bathurst in the 1990 Nissan Sydney 500, the team faced challenges, including a pit lane mix-up that cost a potential win.

A significant shift occurred in 1991 with a deal involving Peter Brock, who brought his Mobil 1 Racing team and sponsorship to Perkins Engineering, fielding two Holden VN Commodores. While this partnership aimed to leverage Brock's return to Holden, early results were mixed, with mechanical issues and tire supply being notable concerns. Perkins himself later expressed that contractual obligations with Brock's team may have limited his own performance.

🏆 The Castrol Era and Bathurst Dominance

Following the separation from Brock's team, Perkins Engineering continued to evolve. The team secured significant sponsorship from Bob Jane T-Marts for the 1992 season, culminating in a victory at the Sandown 500 and a front-row start at Bathurst. The subsequent year, 1993, marked a pivotal moment with Castrol becoming the major sponsor. This influx of funding enabled the team to develop a new Holden VP Commodore, which proved exceptionally fast, securing pole position and a memorable victory at the Bathurst 1000, driven by Larry Perkins and Gregg Hansford. This win was particularly notable as Perkins utilized a Holden V8 engine over the more powerful Chevrolet V8s favored by other teams, citing cost and efficiency advantages.

The team continued its strong performance through the mid-90s. The 1995 Tooheys 1000 victory, achieved by Larry Perkins and Russell Ingall, was a testament to the team's determination, overcoming an early tire issue to clinch the win after a dramatic race. The 1997 Primus 1000 Classic, also won by Perkins and Ingall, further solidified the team's reputation for reliability and strategic execution, outlasting many faster but less dependable competitors.

📊 Championship Contention and Expansion

The team's championship aspirations were strong in the late 1990s. The 1997 season saw Ingall finish second and Perkins fourth in the championship standings, with the team achieving multiple one-two finishes. The team also expanded its operations, running a third "Castrol Cougars" entry for female drivers, demonstrating a commitment to broader motorsport engagement.

The 1998 season saw the introduction of the Holden VS Commodores and later the VT Commodore. Ingall and teammate Craig Lowndes emerged as key contenders, with Ingall ultimately finishing second in the championship. The team also secured victories at the Tickford 500 and achieved a second-place finish at the FAI 1000 at Bathurst.

In 1999, Perkins Engineering entered a strategic relationship with Wayne Gardner to prepare and run a Coca-Cola sponsored Commodore, increasing the team's engineering data and operational capacity.

📉 Strategic Wind-Down

Following a decision by Holden to reduce support for teams running their Commodore product in the series for 2009, Larry Perkins opted to scale back his direct involvement. This led to a strategic business relationship with John and Margaret Kelly, whose son Todd was a driver for Perkins Engineering in 2008.

This arrangement facilitated the transfer of many Perkins Engineering staff, equipment, and sponsors, including the team's VE Commodores and Jack Daniel's sponsorship, to the newly formed Kelly Racing. Perkins Engineering effectively transitioned from an active racing team to a supplier of engineering services for the new entity.

🤝 Partnership with Kelly Racing

As part of the agreement, Larry Perkins retained the Perkins Engineering franchise licenses, which were then leased to Kelly Racing for their third and fourth cars. Perkins Engineering was responsible for completing two final VE Commodores for Kelly Racing. Over time, Kelly Racing developed its own engineering capabilities, reducing its reliance on Perkins Engineering.

In January 2013, Larry Perkins finalized the sale of his franchises to Kelly Racing and vacated the Moorabbin workshop, marking the formal closure of Perkins Engineering as a distinct operational entity.

🥇 1993 – The Speed Advantage

The 1993 victory was characterized by the exceptional speed of the No. 11 Castrol Holden VP Commodore. The car dominated the week, topping most practice and qualifying sessions. The race itself evolved into a three-way contest between Perkins/Gregg Hansford, Mark Skaife/Jim Richards, and Tomas Mezera/Win Percy. The superior pace of the Perkins car, even with a Holden V8 engine against the more powerful Chevrolet V8s used by rivals, proved decisive, securing the team's second Bathurst crown.

💪 1995 – A Triumph of Determination

While not the fastest car throughout the week, the No. 11 Castrol Holden VR Commodore demonstrated remarkable resilience. An early collision between Perkins and Craig Lowndes resulted in a torn tire valve, causing a slow lap back to the pits and putting the car a lap down. However, through strategic driving and a bit of luck with safety car periods, Perkins and co-driver Russell Ingall clawed their way back. The retirement of the leading Richards/Skaife car opened the door, and Perkins ultimately took the lead with nine laps remaining, securing his fifth Bathurst win.

🛠️ 1997 – The Reliability Factor

The 1997 Primus 1000 Classic victory underscored Perkins Engineering's long-standing reputation for building reliable machinery. While several faster cars, including those from Holden Racing Team and Wayne Gardner's team, succumbed to mechanical failures or accidents, the Perkins Engineering car, driven by Larry Perkins and Russell Ingall, maintained its composure. The only significant hiccup was a brief off-track excursion by Ingall. This win was a clear demonstration of the team's engineering prowess and meticulous preparation.

🌟 Nurturing Future Talent

Perkins Engineering also played a role in developing talent in the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series (now known as the Dunlop Super2 Series). In 2006, the team ran a full-time program in this development category.

The drivers competing in the Fujitsu Series for Perkins Engineering included:

• Alex Davison (2004)
• Shane Price (2006)
• Jack Perkins (2006)

These efforts provided a crucial stepping stone for young drivers aiming to progress into the main V8 Supercar Championship.

📜 References