Gibson Motor Sport
Encyclopedia
Gibson Motor Sport was an Australian motor racing team. Originally established by Howard Marsden as the in-house factory Nissan motorsport operation, the team later passed into the ownership of Fred Gibson
., who had won the 1967 Bathurst 500 as a driver, sharing with Harry Firth. In 1993 the team changed from Nissan to Holden
cars. The team was running the Holden
Commodore VR in 1995, after which new legislation meant it lost its lucrative tobacco sponsorship, then continued in somewhat trimmed form in 1996. After concentrating on developing younger drivers in 1997-98, the team again became a frontline Holden force in 1999, before switching to Ford in 2001 when they signed Craig Lowndes
to a 5 year deal. It also signed Rodney Forbes to pilot the #7 Gibson Motorsport. Neil Crompton paired up with Craig Lowndes for 2001 and 2002 enduros. Neil Crompton joined Gibson Motorsport for 2002 season and last season of full time driving. The 2001 team was owned by Bob Forbes, although the Gibson Motor Sport name continued to be used. The relationship ended in litigation and in 2002, Gibson and Forbes went their separate ways. The name Gibson Motor Sport has not been used since that time. It was named the 00 motorsport for 2002 and 2003. Greg Ritter signed on to pilot the 00 Ford when Craig Lowndes left for Ford Performance Racing (FPR) while Rodney Forbes remained in #7 00 Motorsport Ford.
Gibson Motor Sport has a reputation for excellent mechanical preparation and shrewd tactical analysis of a race. It is one of the most successful teams in the history of the Australian Touring Car Championship
, with four championship wins, with Jim Richards
in 1990 and 1991 in a Nissan Skyline
and Mark Skaife
in 1992 and 1994 in a Nissan Skyline and a Holden Commodore
respectively.
Also the team won the Bathurst 1000
3 times with Jim Richards
and Mark Skaife
in 1991 and 1992, Jim's son Steven Richards
paired with Greg Murphy
won in 1999 in a Holden Commodore VT
Fred Gibson (motor racing)
Fred Gibson is a former Australian racing driver and race team owner.-Competitor:After a career that began in small production sports cars, first an MGA, and later the first Lotus Elan to run in Australian competition , Gibson quickly moved up into the touring car ranks...
., who had won the 1967 Bathurst 500 as a driver, sharing with Harry Firth. In 1993 the team changed from Nissan to Holden
Holden
GM Holden Ltd is an automaker that operates in Australia, based in Port Melbourne, Victoria. The company was founded in 1856 as a saddlery manufacturer. In 1908 it moved into the automotive field, before becoming a subsidiary of the U.S.-based General Motors in 1931...
cars. The team was running the Holden
Holden
GM Holden Ltd is an automaker that operates in Australia, based in Port Melbourne, Victoria. The company was founded in 1856 as a saddlery manufacturer. In 1908 it moved into the automotive field, before becoming a subsidiary of the U.S.-based General Motors in 1931...
Commodore VR in 1995, after which new legislation meant it lost its lucrative tobacco sponsorship, then continued in somewhat trimmed form in 1996. After concentrating on developing younger drivers in 1997-98, the team again became a frontline Holden force in 1999, before switching to Ford in 2001 when they signed Craig Lowndes
Craig Lowndes
Craig Lowndes is a multi-championship winning Australian racing driver. He is a three-time V8 Supercar champion and five-time winner of Australia's most famous motor race, the Bathurst 1000...
to a 5 year deal. It also signed Rodney Forbes to pilot the #7 Gibson Motorsport. Neil Crompton paired up with Craig Lowndes for 2001 and 2002 enduros. Neil Crompton joined Gibson Motorsport for 2002 season and last season of full time driving. The 2001 team was owned by Bob Forbes, although the Gibson Motor Sport name continued to be used. The relationship ended in litigation and in 2002, Gibson and Forbes went their separate ways. The name Gibson Motor Sport has not been used since that time. It was named the 00 motorsport for 2002 and 2003. Greg Ritter signed on to pilot the 00 Ford when Craig Lowndes left for Ford Performance Racing (FPR) while Rodney Forbes remained in #7 00 Motorsport Ford.
Gibson Motor Sport has a reputation for excellent mechanical preparation and shrewd tactical analysis of a race. It is one of the most successful teams in the history of the Australian Touring Car Championship
Australian Touring Car Championship
The Australian Touring Car Championship is a touring car racing award held in Australia since 1960. The series itself is no longer contested, but the title lives on, with the winner of the V8 Supercar Championship Series awarded the trophy and title of Australian Touring Car Champion.-History:The...
, with four championship wins, with Jim Richards
Jim Richards (race driver)
Jim Richards is a New Zealand racing driver who has spent most of his racing life in Australia. While retired from professional racing, Richards continues to compete in the historic category Touring Car Masters while running a team in the Australian GT Championship...
in 1990 and 1991 in a Nissan Skyline
Nissan Skyline
The first Skyline was introduced in April 1957, by the Prince Motor Company, and was marketed as a luxury car. It featured a 1.5 L GA-30 engine producing 44 kW @ 4400 rpm. It used a de Dion tube rear suspension and was capable of 140 km/h . The car weighed around 1300 kg...
and Mark Skaife
Mark Skaife
Mark Stephen Skaife OAM is an Australian motor racing driver. Skaife is a five time winner of the V8 Supercar Championship Series, including its predecessor the Australian Touring Car Championship. He is also a six-time winner of Australia's most prestigious domestic motor race, the Bathurst 1000...
in 1992 and 1994 in a Nissan Skyline and a Holden Commodore
Holden Commodore
The Holden Commodore is an automobile manufactured since 1978 by the Holden subsidiary of General Motors in Australia, and, formerly, in New Zealand. In the mid-1970s, Holden established proposals to replace the long-serving Kingswood nameplate with a smaller, Opel-based model...
respectively.
Also the team won the Bathurst 1000
Bathurst 1000
The Bathurst 1000 is a touring car race held annually at Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia...
3 times with Jim Richards
Jim Richards (race driver)
Jim Richards is a New Zealand racing driver who has spent most of his racing life in Australia. While retired from professional racing, Richards continues to compete in the historic category Touring Car Masters while running a team in the Australian GT Championship...
and Mark Skaife
Mark Skaife
Mark Stephen Skaife OAM is an Australian motor racing driver. Skaife is a five time winner of the V8 Supercar Championship Series, including its predecessor the Australian Touring Car Championship. He is also a six-time winner of Australia's most prestigious domestic motor race, the Bathurst 1000...
in 1991 and 1992, Jim's son Steven Richards
Steven Richards
Steven Richards is a New Zealand racing driver, currently competing in the with the team. He previously raced in the V8 Supercar series for Ford Performance Racing....
paired with Greg Murphy
Greg Murphy
Greg Murphy is a racing driver, best known as a four-time winner of the Bathurst 1000. Greg Murphy joined Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond presenting Top Gear, when it had its first international Live show at ASB Showgrounds in Auckland from February 12 - 15th 2009, and again when the show...
won in 1999 in a Holden Commodore VT