» V8s: D’Alberto reveals temporary livery scheme

Tony D’Alberto has taken the wraps off the colour scheme he will run on his #3 Ford Falcon entry for the first two events of the upcoming championship season, having signed a short-term sponsorship deal with PFERD.

The Victorian driver split with his title sponsor Wilson Security at the end of the 2012 season – the company announced a sponsorship deal with Brad Jones Racing just weeks later – and he ran a sponsorless livery at the ‘open’ pre-season test at Sandown Raceway just over a week ago.

His deal with PFERD – producers of tools for surface finishing and cutting materials – will run for the season-opening Clipsal 500 and the non-championship Australian Grand Prix events only. The company was previously a minor sponsor of Tony D’Alberto Racing last year, along with GB Galvanizing, which keeps its sponsor stickers on his car’s bonnet.

The short nature of the sponsorship deal would clearly indicate performance expectations from PFERD, along with much-rumoured cashflow issues within TDR.

“It’s a only a short two round deal, but it’s a great opportunity for them to have the car done in their own colours,” a relieved D’Alberto is quoted as saying.

“We’re trying to encouraging to be involved at this level for the rest of the year, but we’re speaking to a lot of other people as well.”