NRMA Insurance smash repair team leaves the V8 track

Racing legend Dick Johnson officially farewelled the NRMA Insurance Smash Repair Team at this year’s Sydney Telstra 500.

Guided by leader Tony Warrener, the team has supported apprentices and the motor sport community for more than 40 years.

“It is with great sadness that we farewell the NRMA Insurance Smash Repair Team,” Johnson said.

NRMA Insurance has sponsored the team since 1988, and IAG national supply chain manager Roy Briggs said the team gained hands-on work at V8 Supercars series events each year.

“Apprentices have helped to repair the cars of famous Australian drivers at some of the nation’s most internationally recognised racetracks,” Briggs said.

“We’re proud of our long-standing partnership and we’re sad to see that it’s come to an end. We support Tony and the Smash Repair Team directors in their decision to end the program and we wish them all the very best for their future endeavours.”

The NRMA Insurance Smash Repair Team has provided a valuable and free service to the motorsport community, which often requires the team’s wide ranging repair services including crash repair, spray painting, sign writing and welding.

Team manager Tony Warrener has been the cornerstone of the team since it first started. “I believe our program has created better tradespeople for the future and has allowed young people to be passionate about every aspect of their work,” Warrener said.