Erebus Motorsport mechanic Dean Orr has revealed his unique history with the retro livery that Jack Perkins will carry at this weekend’s Sandown 500. 

The livery is a tribute to Larry Perkins and Gregg Hansford’s 1993 Bathurst winning VP Castrol Commodore and includes the iconic red and green striping, white rims and a large #11 on the front doors and roof. 

Orr, who currently holds the role of No #1 mechanic on Jack’s ZB Commodore, held the same role at Perkins Engineering when the team claimed that historic victory in 1993’s Great Race.

“It was a childhood dream of mine to work on and prepare a car that would win Bathurst,” Orr said. 

“1993 was Perkins Engineering’s first Bathurst win, as well as mine, so it was a big deal to me and it’s a big deal to the Holden fans looking back as it was the last Holden Commodore to win with a Holden V8 engine. 

“We didn’t know that was going to be the case at the time but now looking back 30 years, that car really has an important place in Supercars history and it’s cool to have been part of it.”

Having stepped away from the sport 12 years ago after 22 years, Orr returned to Supercars this year alongside Erebus Motorsport and has really enjoyed being back. 

“I was at Perkins Engineering for six or seven years. We had a couple of Bathurst wins in those years, they really were great times and are my fondest memories of the sport,” Orr said. 

“It is fantastic to be back in the sport alongside Erebus and returning to doing something I love 30 years up the road.

“I was 24 when we won Bathurst in ‘93 and Jack was up to my waist, running around in his Castrol jacket 100x too big for him so to be working with him now, it’s pretty cool the way everything has turned out.” 

Having worked so closely with Larry and the original 1993 VP Commodore, Orr was excited when Jack’s 2023 version was conceptualised earlier this year. 

“I think this livery has brought a new energy and a bit of excitement and I think it looks fantastic,” Orr said. 

“I might be a bit one-eyed considering my history but a lot of people are saying the same thing so it will be interesting to see what kind of reception we get from the general public at Sandown. 

“What’s great is that Jack has a lot of respect for the history of the Perkins Engineering cars and he puts a lot of time and effort into keeping the Perkins Engineering legacy alive so huge credit goes to him.

“I’m really looking forward to Sandown and Bathurst and if we could win a race at either event with this livery, that would be really cool and it’s certainly what Jack and I are aiming for.”

The Sandown 500 kicks off this morning with the Dunlop Series first practice commencing at 9.50AM AEST, September 15.