MEET SHELL V-POWER RACING’S 2021 TRANSPORTER

Here’s our first look at Shell V-Power Racing’s transporter setup for 2021

Shell V-Power Racing’s transporter at Queensland Raceway yesterday. Thanks to Kelly Johnson.

The refurbished B-Double race transporter was at Queensland Raceway yesterday for the team’s official test of the Shell V-Power Ford Mustangs of Anton De Pasquale and Will Davison.

We’ve had to hit backspace on the word ‘new’ a couple of times while writing this article, and that’s because the trailers aren’t actually new. While they’ve been refurbished to Shell V-Power Racing’s liking, the trailers have been in seen in Australian race paddocks for years.

A big thanks to Kelly Johnson for this photo

DJR Team Penske purchased this trailer set from 23Red Racing back in 2019, after the Victorian-based team moved into the Tickford Racing stable. However, the trailers weren’t put to work straight away. DJR Team Penske continued to use its aging B-Double trailer set for the remainder of 2019, and throughout the disrupted 2020 season.

According to this Motorsport.com article from 2019, the team’s upgrade to the ex-23Red Racing trailer set was to alleviate weight restrictions resulting from the bogie axle set-up of the old transporter. That B-trailer can be traced back to 1995.

If you’re wondering where Dick Johnson Racing’s old trailers have gone, they’re set for another year of Supercars Championship duties in the hands of Box Hill-based Blanchard Racing Team.

This is the second trip to a racetrack for the refurbished transporter, following a 60-kilometre shakedown at the Ipswich circuit on Wednesday.

Another angle captured by Kelly Johnson yesterday

While the trailers have changed, the team retains its MAN TGX 580 prime mover with an XXL cab, which has been in service since 2019.

The Shell V-Power Racing transporter made the 60-kilometer trip back to the team’s Yatala base last night and will soon load up for the first round of the season at Bathurst beginning on February 26.