Dementia Australia is thrilled to be back for a second year as the nominated charity for the Penrite Oil Sandown 500, one of the greatly anticipated races returning to the Repco Supercars Championships calendar.  Supercars, Penrite Racing and Penrite Oil, the major sponsor and partner of the Supercars event, nominated Dementia Australia as their charity partner as a tribute to Dementia Australia Patron, Allan Moffat OBE, Supercars Legend, Hall of Fame inductee, and four-time Bathurst 1000 winner who is living with Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan said it was a privilege to be part of such a significant event in the Repco Supercars Championships calendar. 

“Thank you to Penrite Oil, Penrite Racing, Supercars and most importantly to Allan Moffat and his network of supporters for continuing to give back to the racing community and helping all racegoers to know that if they are impacted by dementia – they are not alone. I also thank Steve Grove of Grove Racing who partners with Penrite for his support and generous donation to Dementia Australia in honour of a close family member. The Grove family like so many Australians, has been impacted by dementia.” Professor Buchanan commented “Allan Moffat as our Dementia Australia Patron and his support network have been so generous in sharing  his diagnosis and experience of living with Alzheimer’s disease to raise awareness in the community and vital funds for Dementia Australia at fundraising.dementia.org.au/allan-moffat. Allan first talked about his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in September 2019 and with his support network he has continued to raise awareness about dementia as a Dementia Australia Patron.”

“ We are so pleased to be working again with Allan Moffat and Dementia Australia. It’s a privilege to be able to show our support for Allan, one of my heroes, and for Dementia Australia.With more than 421,000 Australians estimated to be living with dementia and more than 1.6 million people involved in their care, it’s an important cause for everyone and especially close to our hearts here at Penrite Oil. As an Australian family-owned business with strong community values, we feel it’s important to give back and support those who need it most.” Jarrod Harding, Brand Manager Penrite Oil commented “As part of the partnership, Penrite Oil will be working with Allan Moffat and his support team to promote Dementia Australia’s work and to encourage community support for the charity’s activities. It’s exciting this year as racing enthusiasts at the event will be treated to seeing a tribute of the 1974 Ford XB Brut 33 Falcon on the 50-year anniversary of Allan’s win at Sandown.”

The three-day race event is from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 September at the Sandown International Motor Raceway, Melbourne and across the event racegoers and broadcast audiences will see Dementia Australia’s logo included in the historic livery on Penrite Racing’s Ford Mustangs. Penrite Oil Sandown 500 racegoers are encouraged to visit Dementia Australia’s marquee on site across the three event days where there will be information, and they can purchase merchandise and commemorative Allan Moffat OBE pins.  “The Penrite Oil Sandown 500 is the perfect lead into Dementia Australia Action Week which will run from 16-22 September,” Professor Buchanan commented “Head to dementia.org.au to find out how you can join us to create a future where all people impacted by dementia are supported and welcomed in their communities, no matter where they live. I encourage anyone who has concerns about themselves or someone close to them to contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. It’s available for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.”