Supercars Indigenous Round returns to Darwin with new livery designs

Joseph Guenzler
Joseph Guenzler Published June 15, 2026 at 4.30pm (AWST)

The Darwin Triple Crown will return from June 19 to 21 as Supercars' Indigenous Round, with cars across the grid carrying liveries created by Indigenous artists, organisations and students.

The 2026 event will mark the fifth edition of the Indigenous Round, which has become a platform for cultural storytelling through motorsport.

The first six revealed designs cover seven cars, while the full artist and car schedule lists 24 entries across the field.

PremiAir Racing was the first team to reveal its 2026 Indigenous Round livery, with Jayden Ojeda's #31 Chevrolet Camaro and Declan Fraser's #777 Chevrolet Camaro carrying artwork by emerging Arrernte artist Telisa "Tilly" Palmer.

Ms Palmer is a 15-year-old student at Worawa Aboriginal College and is from the Arrernte and Mparntwe language groups.

Her design uses shark motifs and ocean lines to explore strength, protection, adaptability, instinct and movement.

"I love that sharks are an apex predator that shows strength, protection and sharp instincts," Ms Palmer said.

"The shark has held wisdom about the ocean and has survived in it for thousands of years because it is adaptable and fearless.

"The movement of a Supercar on the race track reminds me of a shark swimming through the ocean; together, they exist and move in strength, power and speed."

Jayden Ojeda's #31 Chevrolet Camaro livery designed by Telisa Palmer. (Image: Suppled)

The current artist list includes:

Aidan Hartshorn (Triple Eight/SCT Motorsport);

Azariyah Lansom (Blanchard Racing Team);

Billy-Jay (BJ) O'Toole (Matt Stone Racing);

Christopher Brumby (Triple Eight Race Engineering);

Clontarf Foundation Wyong Academy students (Triple Eight Race Engineering);

Ella and Jamelia (Grove Racing/Penrite Racing);

Jedess Hudson (Erebus Motorsport);

Joshua James (Tickford Racing);

Kris Kennedy (Blanchard Racing Team);

Tio Kuran Warun/Kurun Warun (Dick Johnson Racing/Shell V-Power Racing Team);

Leah Cummins (Team 18);

Monica Taylor (Walkinshaw);

Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation (Brad Jones Racing);

Nakita Russell-Watling (Brad Jones Racing/SCT Motorsport);

Petera Te Hiwirori Hatea (Walkinshaw);

Presten Warren (Team 18);

Sheldon Harrington (PremiAir Racing);

Telisa "Tilly" Palmer (PremiAir Racing);

Tenielle McGuire (Grove Racing).

Zach Bates' #10 Chevrolet Camaro livery designed by Billy-Jay O'Toole. (Image: Supplied)

Matt Stone Racing has revealed the Bendix Racing-inspired Indigenous Round livery for Zach Bates' #10 Chevrolet Camaro, with artwork by Wadawurrung artist Billy-Jay O'Toole.

The design celebrates Wadawurrung Country and features local hills, waterways and eucalyptus leaves to represent connection to Country, journey and welcome.

Four birds with cultural significance in Wadawurrung culture and creation stories also feature on the car: Bunjil the wedge-tailed eagle, Waa the crow, Kunawarra the black swan and Pawan the magpie.

Brad Jones Racing has unveiled the #8 R&J Batteries Toyota GR Supra of Andre Heimgartner, continuing its partnership with Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation for a fourth year.

Andre Heimgartner's #8 R&J Batteries Toyota GR Supra livery designed by Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation employees. (Image: Supplied)

The artwork was created by current Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation employees and tells the story of the organisation, its creation, growth, achievements and ongoing work in the Albury-Wodonga region.

The design includes the Murray River and the organisation's origin story of three Aunties sitting at a kitchen table.

Walkinshaw has unveiled Ryan Wood's #2 Mobil 1 Truck Assist Toyota GR Supra, with a Māori design by contemporary Māori artist Petera Te Hiwirori Hatea.

Mr Hatea's whakapapa (ancestry) connects him to the Rongowhakaata, Tūhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāpuhi iwi (clan group).

The artwork is titled Mangōpare, the Māori word for hammerhead shark, and draws on strength, resilience, guidance and protection.

Ryan Wood's #2 Mobil 1 Truck Assist Toyota GR Supra livery designed by Te Kiwiori Hatea. (Image: Supplied)

Mr Hatea described the process of creating the design with Wood and his team.

"Talking with Ryan and his team, and learning a small part of his background, made the design process feel very natural and meaningful," Mr Hatea said.

"Although he doesn't know his specific tribal affiliations through his Indigenous connections, I was able to reaffirm that simply being Māori is more than enough.

"More than anything, I hope it serves as a reminder of where he comes from, what he is connected to, and the powerful things that can be created from embracing that identity and culture."

Team 18 has also revealed dual liveries for Anton De Pasquale's #18 DEWALT Camaro and David Reynolds' #20 Snowy River Caravans Camaro.

Anton De Pasquale's #18 DEWALT and David Reynolds' #20 Snowy River Caravans Chevrolet Camaro ZL1's liveries designed by Presten Warren. (Image: Supplied)

Both designs were created by Wirangu, Dieri, Kokatha, Mirning and Arabana artist Presten Warren based in Port Lincoln, South Australia.

The #18 livery features Thriving on Country, which explores connection to homeland and the need to care for Country so it can continue to sustain future generations.

The #20 livery carries Camping Under the Stars, which centres on gathering on Country, sharing stories and spending time together beneath the night sky.

Mr Warren said the designs shared a focus on connection.

"Both Thriving on Country and Camping Under the Stars are centred around connection, connection to Country, community, family and the stories that bring us together," Mr Warren said.

"While they're different stories, they both reflect the strong relationships Aboriginal people have with the land and with each other."

"Seeing the artwork on the Team 18 Supercars is incredibly special."

Further Indigenous Round liveries are expected to be revealed later this week.

The Darwin Triple Crown will be held in Darwin from June 19 to 21, with Supercars racing across all three days of the round.

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