Red Bull Racing Australia and its driver’s Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes have unveiled the team’s new ride car, a one-off, race-spec 525kW Tribute Edition Sandman.

RED BULL RACING Australia has unveiled its one-off, race-spec Tribute Edition Sandman to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Australian icon.

Produced in-house by Triple Eight Race Engineering, the Tribute Edition Sandman was unveiled by Red Bull driver’s Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup.

“The Holden Sandman was launched 40 years ago, the same year that I was born!” Lowndes said.

“It sounds like a race car, it’s faster than our race cars in a straight line with the big banger engine and the cool thing is if you come to the race this weekend [Gold Coast 600], you’ll see it running around the track.”

According to Triple Eight the project began in April with support from the GM Holden Design Department – the Tribute Edition Sandman will serve as the Red Bull ride car and is based on the V8 Supercar that Whincup used to win the V8 Supercar Championship in 2013.

Under the bonnet is a 525kW V8 engine which is mated to a six speed electro-hydraulic paddle shift gearbox and F1-inspired fly by wire throttle control. It also gets a pair of carbon fibre surfboards on the roof.

“We’re here after six months of development to reveal our secret project and what an honour to be a part of a Tribute Edition Sandman and have it race around the track this weekend,” Whincup said.

“The heart and soul of the car is a V8 Supercar and it’s an absolute rocket!”