Valvoline Global’s return to the Bathurst 1000 with Garry Rogers Motorsport reflects a long-standing commitment to performance, heritage, and the next generation of Australian motorsport

Motorsport and the Australian automotive aftermarket have long shared a close relationship, and few partnerships demonstrate that connection more clearly than the enduring association between Valvoline Global and Garry Rogers Motorsport (GRM).
In 2026, Valvoline Global will return to the Repco Bathurst 1000 as the naming rights partner of GRM’s wildcard entry, marking a significant moment for both organisations and rekindling one of the longest-running commercial partnerships in Australian motorsport history.
The announcement also signals GRM’s return to the Supercars Championship for the first time in six years, with James Moffat and Nathan Herne set to share the driving duties in the wildcard Chevrolet Camaro.
More than simply a race entry, the program has been positioned as a celebration of legacy, innovation, and future talent – qualities which have helped shape both Valvoline and GRM across decades of competition.
At the same time, it will honour the legacy of Australian motorsport icon, Garry Rogers, as a tribute to his contributions and achievements in racing.
“Bathurst is where Australian motorsport creates its greatest stories, and Garry Rogers Motorsport has written many of them,” Kate Phillips, Valvoline Global Operations, Marketing Director – Australia and New Zealand, said.
“This program is about more than returning to Mount Panorama. It represents the union of two icons – Valvoline and GRM – honouring a shared commitment to best-in-class performance and investment in the next generation of racing, honouring our history, while continuing to invest in what’s next.”
For Valvoline Global, the Bathurst wildcard is also a natural extension of a broader motorsport legacy.
As the company behind America’s first branded engine oil, Valvoline has built its reputation on performance and continual innovation. That philosophy continues to shape its support of drivers, teams, and technologies across modern motorsport.
Valvoline Global has a long-standing history in international motorsport, partnering with elite teams and racing series around the world, while also maintaining support for grassroots and professional racing across Australia and New Zealand.
This latest Bathurst program continues that approach by pairing proven endurance experience with emerging talent.
Nathan Herne’s inclusion alongside James Moffat reflects a focus not only on competition at the highest level, but also on creating opportunities for rising stars to progress onto Australian motorsport’s biggest stage.

“Nathan Herne has developed through the GRM pathway and now earns his opportunity on Australian motorsport’s biggest stage alongside James Moffat,” Kate said.
“Supporting that journey perfectly reflects our belief that being an original isn’t about what you’ve achieved, it is about continuing to evolve.”
That emphasis on evolution and future development sits comfortably alongside the weight of history surrounding the GRM-Valvoline relationship.
For many in the sport, the return of Valvoline branding to a GRM Bathurst entry will revive memories of one of touring car racing’s most recognisable and successful long-term partnerships.
Garry Rogers Motorsport Team Principal, Barry Rogers, said the wildcard will carry strong emotional significance for the Rogers family and the wider team.
“Running the GRM wildcard in honour of my dad will be a deeply special and emotional occasion for our family, as well as for current and former GRM staff,” Barry said.
“Seeing the big ‘V’ of Valvoline on the bonnet of the #34 will bring back many fond memories of the achievements GRM and Valvoline have shared over many years.
“Dad’s racing journey would not have reached the heights it did without Valvoline’s incredibly loyal support for more than 36 years.
“That same loyalty, along with Valvoline’s respect for history, has made it possible to take the #34 Team Valvoline GRM Chevy Camaro to Bathurst.”
Adding to the nostalgia of the campaign, the #34 Valvoline-backed Chevrolet Camaro will carry a retro-inspired livery celebrating GRM’s famous 2000 Bathurst 1000 victory.
The design links one of the team’s greatest achievements with an exciting new chapter, reinforcing the sense of continuity between past and present.
The program also highlights how major motorsport partnerships can create value beyond the race track.
For brands connected to the aftermarket, Bathurst provides a unique platform to engage trade customers, workshops, enthusiasts, and consumers through one of the country’s most iconic sporting events.
Further strengthening the aftermarket presence within this wildcard effort is the involvement of fellow AAAA member, Repco, which has joined the Team Valvoline GRM Bathurst program as a major backer, and is also the naming rights sponsor of the event itself and the Supercars championship.
Repco’s inclusion adds another layer of heritage to the entry, with its return to the livery recalling the branding carried on GRM’s 2000 Bathurst winner. In another nod to that milestone, the team’s 2000 winning car is set to be displayed during the 2026 event.
The wildcard effort has also attracted support from GT Radial, TFH Hire, Schaeffler, BlueGold Industries, Advanced Aquarium Technologies, and HCC Distribution, reflecting the strength of the commercial and industry relationships surrounding the program.
A range of retro-inspired GRM merchandise will also be made available in connection with the event, further underlining the way heritage and fan engagement continue to play an important role in modern motorsport partnerships.

To learn more about Valvoline and Repco, visit www.valvolineglobal.com and www.repco.com.au