Car care tips from Supercars driver Bryce Fullwood

Bryce Fullwood’s “office” is a Chevrolet Camaro, which travels at roughly 290km an hour. In Bryce’s eighth season on the Supercars Championship tour, known colloquially as V8 Supercars, the 27-year-old has more than 160 starts, is a triple podium finisher and has made a name for himself as the only guy from the Northern Territory competing. As a racing pro, Bryce knows a thing or two about keeping his Supercar race-ready – with car care top of the team’s mind on the circuit (it also reflects a team’s attention to detail, with the sponsors watching particularly closely).

“The old saying used to be: ‘There are two miles an hour extra in a clean car’,” Bryce says, before filling us in on his background to Supercars.

“I never worked toward being a Supercars driver. I didn't even think that was possible coming from Darwin.” This was despite living just a mere rev of an engine away from Hidden Valley Raceway, the home of the Darwin Triple Crown. “We didn't live very far from the circuit,” he says. “When we didn’t get to go to the track, we could hear it from home.”

Every October, the Fullwoods would also huddle around the TV for Australia’s most iconic race: Bathurst. After signing his first V8 contract with Matt Stone Racing in 2016, Bryce had stints driving for Kelly Racing and Walkinshaw Andretti United before landing in the Brad Jones Racing seat in 2022, and has been snug in that Camaro ever since. In the lead up to one of the most iconic race meets on the Supercars calendar, Bathurst 1000, we caught up with Bryce to share his tips for keeping your car in tip top shape.

A Supercars champ’s top car care tips

• Polish your car to protect the paint from damaging UV exposure
• Do a waterless wash with a microfibre cloth
• Quality engine oils, including Nulon or Valvoline will help support your car's longevity
• For interiors, a powerful cleaner is essential for removing scuffs, dust and dirt

Car care tips from a pro

Want to keep your wheels shiny and your engine running like a cheetah? We ask Bryce what car care products the professionals use for their wheels.

What do the pros use to polish their cars?

For a durable shine that stands up to race-like conditions, Bryce says you can’t go wrong with brands like Turtle Wax or ArmorAll, which act as a barrier between your car’s clear coat and a harsh environment. He likes Turtle Wax 1.5L Wash & Wax. “The (pit) guys are all over that,” he says. These washes and waxes help shield the paint from damaging UV rays that can cause fading and oxidation.

Is it better to wash your car with a sponge or cloth?

Turtle Wax 50 x 50cm Premium Detailing Cloth is the way. “[The car is] washed with a cloth,” says Bryce. “We use a waterless wash.” The reason is a practical one that home mechanics can appreciate. “The race cars aren’t exactly sealed as well as a normal road car,” Bryce explains. “They leak like a sieve.” Using a waterless wash applied with a microfibre cloth allows the crew to control the amount of liquid used, preventing water from getting into the cabin or sensitive mechanical areas.

What about car paint maintenance?

Wondering how to maintain car paint? Bryce recommends Mothers 473ml Pure Polish. “The paint on a race car has a very hard life,” he says “The bugs and stuff are enough to chip the paint.” For everyday drivers, regular car paint maintenance with a quality polish will protect your paint from the elements. “The boys use Mothers after they paint it to polish it so it looks perfect.”

What engine oil do you use?

Bryce says it’s what’s under the hood that gets you over the finish line, and that starts with the right oil. “The engine oil is an important part of the engine’s life, and these engines have a difficult life,” he says. Bryce uses Nulon 5L Mineral 15W-40 High Protection Engine Oil. “It’s good stuff,” he says. Using a quality engine oil like Nulon or Valvoline is one of the most important things you can do for your car’s longevity, according to the V8 star.

What do professionals use to clean their car interior?

“Race cars are inherently hard to clean inside just because of how busy they are,” Bryce says. To cut through the grit and grime, the team uses purpose-built products, like Selleys 500ml Polyglaze Interior Protectant. “That’s something they do back at the workshop. Polyglaze is the stuff they use.” A powerful interior cleaner is essential for removing scuffs, dust and dirt.

Any other gear you recommend using for car care?

The right gear is paramount to personal safety in the pit lane. Bryce says his mechanics use Mechanix Wear Medium Extreme Grip Glove. “They use Mechanix gloves,” Bryce says. “A lot of what they're touching is very hot, so they certainly need good quality gloves.” A durable pair of Mechanix gloves can protect your hands from heat, cuts and grime.

Keep in mind…

Always read directions carefully on car care products before applying to your own vehicle.

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