Bathurst's Lucky Charm Returns 40 Years On

Two last-minute deals, 40 years apart. Hare & Forbes hopes to repeat its 1986 Bathurst magic with Erebus Motorsport.

Forty years after backing one of Bathurst's most iconic victories, Hare & Forbes Machineryhouse is hoping history repeats itself, following a last-minute sponsorship deal with Erebus Motorsport for this weekend's Bathurst 1000.

The Hare & Forbes logo will feature on the rear quarter of the #99 TotalEnergies Quartz Camaro ZL1, driven by Cooper Murray and Lochie Dalton, in a deal that eerily resembles one struck exactly four decades ago.

In 1986, Hare & Forbes jumped on board the now-famous Chickadee VK Commodore in a similarly last-minute sponsorship deal, with its logo appearing on the rear quarter of the car driven to victory by Allan Grice and Graeme Bailey.

The latest partnership follows Hare & Forbes' involvement with Erebus Motorsport at The Bend, where the team's #9 Camaro featured a striking one-off Metalmaster livery.

Hare & Forbes Machineryhouse General Manager Rick Foster said the opportunity was too good to pass up.

"We partnered with Erebus at The Bend and the team did a great job, so I jumped at the chance to potentially repeat history 40 years later, with a strikingly similar deal to the Chickadee VK in 1986.

"Hopefully, we're the lucky sponsor!"

The luck may have already started, with Cooper Murray qualifying third, securing a place in the coveted Top Ten Shootout ahead of Sunday's Great Race.

Adding to the nostalgia, Hare & Forbes Machineryhouse are activating at Harris Park throughout the Bathurst weekend, with their replica of the legendary 1986 Chickadee VK Commodore Bathurst winner on display for fans.

From the rear quarter of a VK Commodore in 1986 to the rear quarter of a Camaro in 2026, the similarities are remarkable.

Two last-minute deals. Forty years apart. Could Hare & Forbes be Bathurst's lucky charm once again?