Kelly’s Castrol-backed Nissan entry was dressed in later (early 2000s) Castrol Perkins livery in the recent Sandown retro round and the Castrol retro theme will continue into Bathurst – even to the point of switching to Larry Perkins’ preferred #11 race number.

“Larry is a real legend of our sport, and a lot of that legend was born out of what he achieved at Bathurst,” said Kelly.

“To win three times in five years is a remarkable performance. This livery is definitely a fan-favourite and something I am honoured to be racing at this year’s Bathurst 1000. I hope 2018 will be the fourth victory for this famous livery.”

There are historical connections between the old Perkins team and Kelly Racing. The Kellys' Nissan Motorsport was born out of the Castrol Perkins Racing Moorabbin workshop  – which was the venue chosen to show off the Bathurst livery.

“We were in a position to take over Larry’s operation in 2009, and that was when we first started our partnership with Castrol.

“So to be able to look back at the origins of this team is something special for the most special race of the year.”

Perkins won Bathurst in ’93 with the late Gregg Hansford before repeating the dose with Russell Ingall as co-driver in ’95 and ’97.

Practice for this year’s Bathurst 1000 starts at Mount Panorama on Thursday, October 4.

Larry Perkins on the way to winning the Bathurst 1000 in 1993.