Shepparton’s Garry Jacobson may be at a new team with different teammates and boasting a striking fresh car livery, but it’s still the same driver behind the wheel.
Jacobson is about to embark on his fourth straight Supercars Championship campaign this weekend.
The 25-car grid heads to Sydney Motorsport Park for the Sydney SuperNight for the season opening round.
It has been a whirlwind couple of months for Jacobson since he was last in action.
The former Team Sydney driver’s career was in limbo when the team was bought by drag racing legend Peter Xiberras earlier this year.
However, Jacobson need not worry as Xiberras offered him a contract with PremiAir Racing.
Fast forward a month and the Goulburn Valley talent is busy learning the ins and outs of his Commodore.
Xiberras has gone chips in on his foray into Supercars.
He has supplied Jacobson and teammate Chris Pither with a ground-up rebuild from Triple Eight Engineering, sponsorship, a base on the Gold Coast and countless other necessities to get PremiAir Racing fighting for race wins.
Speaking to Supercars.com Jacobson said he was ready to give it his best shot in 2022.
"Peter Xiberras is a very motivated person to work under," Jacobson said.
"He’s got all the new bells and whistles on my car; I don’t think I have anywhere near as many excuses now.
"I need to get into that top 10 and fight to get further up the grid.
"But I’m excited about the whole concept and I know the processes (within the team) will get better and better."
There is one small detail on Jacobson’s Subway adorned car.
And that is the number 76 emblazoned on the front and side.
It holds a special place in Jacobson’s heart, for it is the same number his father Peter used when he was behind the wheel and racing.
This is the first time in his career that he will run 76.
The 2016 Super 2 champion said it was moving to be able to rep the family number.
"I’ve always wanted to use #76, but it never quite worked out,’’ Jacobson said.
"Either another driver was already using it, or the team owner was running a number that was special to them that had its own unique meaning and history to it that I needed to respect.
"This year, Peter (Xiberras) rang me and asked what number I wanted to run.
"No team owner has ever given me that option before. I was shocked, but also very humbled he did that.
"So, I didn’t need to think twice. This year for the first time in my motorsport career I can finally represent my father’s number on track.
"It’s a very special moment to me and my family and I can’t wait to finally say ‘car #76 in pit lane’ for the first time on the radio driving into the pits.“
Practice kicks off on Friday, followed by races on Saturday night and Sunday.
- You can catch Jacobson in action this weekend on the Seven Network, Foxtel or Kayo.