Freightliner Racing has revealed a new look for the 2017 Supercars season, unveiling a new Coronado 114 prime mover and the livery for its Commodore racecar.
The Albury-based team has ditched the black this year for a stunning red, white and silver design on Tim Slade’s Holden Commodore, matching the white, red and chrome of the new Brad Jones Racing Coronado.
BJR’s team transporter, known affectionately by fans as ‘Stax’, is driven by Paul Eddy and clocks up around 45,000km a year traveling to and from the 16 rounds of the Supercars series, loaded with the Commodores of Slade and his teammate Nick Percat, as well as enough spares for a near complete rebuild.
The 15-litre Detroit six-cylinder turbo diesel under the bonnet generates a healthy 560hp and 1850lb-ft Nm of torque, making light work of the precious cargo.
Eddy has only done few short stints in his new home away from home, but is looking forward to the 16 rounds he will drive it to this season.
“It looks great going down the road,” Eddy says.
“It always looks cool if you have a couple of stacks sitting behind the doors doesn’t it?”
The Coronado replaces an Argosy, and although it is a trade off in the bedding department – moving from an 110-inch to 34-inch sleeper, Eddy is looking forward to spending the year driving the new rig.
“The sleeper in the Argosy was so big, it had a double bed and it would take me half an hour to get out,” Eddy joked.
“With this, you lose a bit of cabin space but you get a bonnet.
“Geez, the Corando is nice to drive. Just the way it sits on the road; it’s great.”
Slade says he is glad his new number 14 Commodore has a cool paint scheme.
“The Freightliner Racing Commodore looks awesome. It’s so different to what the car has been over the past few years,” he said.
“We achieved some great results in 2016, and this year we’ll be looking to build on that and be more consistent with our speed and good results.”
Freightliner Australia Director Stephen Downes is looking forward to the start of the season.
“We are really thrilled to see the fantastic new look Freightliner Racing Commodore and introduce the tough Freightliner Coronado to the Supercars paddock,” he says.
“We think Freightliner customers will get a real buzz when they see the 2017 car fighting for more wins and podiums this year.”
BJR also uses two Freightliner Argosys for the rest of its Supercars and Dunlop Series racing fleet.
