GRM’s livery will take inspiration from its 2000 Bathurst winner. Image: SSMedia Design Studio for Speedcafe.
The team will field a wildcard for rookie Nathan Herne and GRM favourite James Moffat, running an ex-Triple Eight Chevrolet Camaro.
It will carry backing from Valvoline and a livery celebrating the team’s 2000 Great Race triumph, complete with Rogers’ famed #34.
GRM was a stalwart of the V8 scene from 1996-2019 but has not competed in a Supercars event since running a wildcard in the 2020 Great Race.
That program was also built around Herne, who was controversially denied a start by Motorsport Australia’s Superlicence rules.
Barry Rogers has continued GRM’s operations following his father’s death last October, announcing the Bathurst plan on what would have been Garry’s 81st birthday.
“The motivation is 100 percent Garry. It was unfinished business for Dad,” Rogers told Speedcafe.
“He wanted to get Nathan Herne to Bathurst after what happened in 2020. It’s something we’d spoken about in the last couple of years.
“I know you can’t go on forever celebrating his life, but Bathurst will almost be a year (since Garry’s passing) and it felt like the right time.
“He would be rapt that we’re doing it.”
Rogers and Moffat have been working on the wildcard plan since Easter, locking it in last month after securing the former wildcard Camaro from Triple Eight.
Major backing from long-time GRM supporters Valvoline has also been key.
The squad is preparing its 2000 Bathurst-winning VT Commodore for display at the event and is planning retro-themed livery and team kit.
“This wouldn’t have happened without Valvoline,” admitted Rogers.
“When it started taking shape a few months back, they were immediately onboard and committed to making it happen.
“We’ve got work to do to get the total budget together, but I’m confident we’ll have everything we need to get the best result we can.”
Barry Rogers with GRM’s 2000 Bathurst 1000-winning VT Commodore. Image: Supplied
GRM’s entry will be run by its familiar crew including team manager Stefan ‘Stiffy’ Millard, fabricator Mitch ‘Squid’ Feeney and engine man Jeff ‘Gypsy’ Marshall.
Marshall is currently at Triple Eight undertaking a handover for the car, which will arrive at GRM on Sunday.
The squad will share a pit boom and pit stop crew with the now Team 18-run Supercheap Auto wildcard entry.
A race engineer and participation in GM’s data sharing program are yet to be locked in.
GRM is currently allocated just a single test day, scheduled for September, in which to get the drivers and crew up to speed.
“We want to perform, but we’ve won by getting there. We’ll have achieved what we want to achieve by getting there for Garry,” added Rogers.
“Would Garry want us to run around last all weekend? No he wouldn’t be. So we’ll do our best.
“Driver-wise, Nathan is still a bit of an unknown in Supercars, but he can seriously drive and I’m confident he’ll manage it very well.
“The expectation is that we get to Lap 161 with a straight car and from there, who knows where we’ll end up.
“We’re not there to make up the numbers.”
The 2026 Bathurst 1000 will take place on October 8-11.