THE longest serving race title in ‘Great Race’ history is coming to an end with confirmation that Repco will take over title sponsorship of the Bathurst 1000 from 2021.
The sponsorship is a five-year deal that will see the race named the Repco Bathurst 1000 from 2021 until at least 2025.
The ‘Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000’ has been the race’s title since the automotive retailer took over naming rights in 2005 with this year’s race to be the 16th and last under that banner.
A new name for 2021 means the race will have its 14th different banner under which the ‘Great Race’ has been run.
It began as the Armstrong 500 in 1963 after the event had spent three years under the same banner at Phillip Island between 1960 and 1962.
The race has had a naming rights sponsor every year except 2001, when it was known as the V8 Supercar 1000.
Below are the names the race has been known by over the years:
Armstrong 500, 1963-1965
Gallaher 500, 1966-1967
Hardie-Ferodo 500, 1969-1972
Hardie-Ferodo 1000, 1973-1980
James Hardie 1000, 1981-1987
Tooheys 1000, 1988-1995
AMP Bathurst 1000, 1996-1998 (Super Tourers in 1997/98)
Primus 1000 Classic, 1997 (V8 Supercars race)
FAI 1000 Classic, 1998 (V8 Supercars race)
FAI 1000, 1999-2000
V8 Supercar 1000, 2001
Bob Jane T-Marts Bathurst 1000, 2002-2004
Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, 2005-2020
Repco Bathurst 1000, 2021-
