Castrol returns with FPR, Richards.

Castrol has joined forces with leading V8 Supercar team Ford Performance Racing after agreeing a multi-year title sponsorship deal to back Steven Richards' #6 Ford Falcon.

Castrol has been assessing the potential to return to the V8 Supercar Championship Series after evaluating the performance of a number of leading teams during 2006, and identified FPR as the ideal partner for its high performance EDGE brand.

"This is the best overall total package that Castrol has ever had in V8 Supercars," Andrew Johnson, director of marketing for Castrol Australia and New Zealand, commented, "We've been partners with FPR since the team was established in 2003 and the team has now become a top contender for the championship.

"Steve Richards knows Castrol and our customers well and will be a great ambassador for us during this year and beyond. We also have strong business links with Ford Performance Vehicles and we have a car that looks unmistakably Castrol so, from our prospective, we've got the lot."

The deal reunites Castrol with 34-year old Richards, who ran the company's logos during his time at Perkins Motorsport. The #6 will sport a striking green, white and red livery from the season-opening Clipsal 500 in March, where the EDGE logo will be joined by the traditional Castrol brand logo, as well as enjoying shared signage on the team's Orrcon-backed sister car.

"Castrol has been a long term FPR sponsor and I am absolutely delighted to welcome them as a major naming rights sponsor of the team," FPR commercial director Rod Barrett said, "Having been with us since day one, Castrol has watched the team progress in every area of its operations and will now join us for what is sure to be our most exciting season. There could not be a better time for Castrol and their customers to become a part of FPR."