The design aims to raise awareness of the invaluable work Red Dust Role Models undertakes to improve the health and wellbeing of disadvantaged indigenous youth in remote Australia.

Created by Aboriginal artist Raymond Walters Japanangka, an indigenous Red Dust Role Model, the distinctive livery draws strong influence from traditional Aboriginal artistry.

For the first time, Vodafone’s rocket red makes way for earthy tones detailed in a range of circular patterns that represent the individuality of each remote community.

The car was unveiled at the Daily River community where Lowndes, Whincup and eight Vodafone staff took a Vodafone Passion Day (a paid day away from work to spend with a community organisation), to work as Red Dust Role Models.

Ramana James, Head of the Vodafone Australia Foundation, said the new livery is a statement of Vodafone’s support for Red Dust Role Models and the fantastic work they do in the community.

“Vodafone is in a unique position to support community organisations such as Red Dust Role Models through our sponsorship partners and our people,” he said.

“Giving Red Dust a presence on-track this weekend will hopefully alert people to the significant community support they offer to remote aboriginal communities.”

Lowndes said that the livery was an incredible piece of artwork.

“It is so important to deliver positive messages to disadvantaged youth – and it’s great to be spreading the word to the wider Australian community as well,” Lowndes said.

Along with Whincup, Lowndes is one of hundreds of Vodafone representatives who will take a Passion Day to support a community organisation this year.

In 2007 alone, Vodafone’s people and partners helped touch the lives of over 10,000 young people, and in 2008, Vodafone is committing to a further 1400 community passion days, equating to 200 weeks and over 10,000 hours of real action.

“Imagine if everyone in Australia spent one day a year working with charities to better our environment and communities - the impact would be tremendous,” Lowndes said.

A limited edition polo shirt, featuring the artwork, will be available for purchase at the TeamVodafone Merchandise stand on-track this weekend.

$5 from the sale of each shirt will be donated to Red Dust.

Following the weekend’s racing, Vodafone is donating a door and a bonnet from one of the TeamVodafone Falcons to be auctioned on eBay, with proceeds to go to Red Dust.

We’re still on track for the

title, Tander

REIGNING V8 Supercar champion Garth Tander has moved

to reassure Toll Holden Racing Team fans that his title defence remains on track despite a troubled run at the recent Sandown sprint round.

Tander conceded the championship lead at Sandown after finishing seventh for the weekend, but approaching this weekend’s sixth round at Darwin’s Hidden Valley Raceway, trails Ford driver Mark Winterbottom by just 52 points.

There are 300 points up for grabs across the three sprint races to be contested.

NEW LOOK: TeamVodafone V8 drivers Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes spent the day at the Daily River community to launch the team’s new look for this weekend’s Darwin’s Hidden Valley Raceway round. The team has combined with Red Dust Role Models, which undertakes to improve the health and wellbeing of disadvantaged indigenous youth in remote Australia, by having Aboriginal artist Raymond Walters Japanangka, produce a distinctive livery for their cars for this weekend’s round. Lowndes, Whincup and eight Vodafone staff took a Vodafone Passion Day (a paid day away from work to spend with a community organisation), to work as Red Dust Role Models.