The industrial developments of the 1970s brought the lubricant and motorsport sectors closer together. However, this new combination needed structure and an image that reflected the bond between oil, fuel and motorsport. REPESA quickly picked up on this and, through its Repsol brand, took its first steps in the field with the creation of Escudería Repsol –which would be a pioneer in sport at the time.
At the end of the sixties, Spanish motorsport was stuck in a rut. Limited to private, small–time efforts, it was rare that teams received any support besides that of the driver.
The industrial developments of these years would create a new mindset. Spain was beginning to become an industrialised country and one of the main exponents of this new ideal was the field of fuel. Our Refinería de Petróleos de Escombreras (REPESA) refinery in Cartagena was a symbol of the increasing industrial strengthening in the refinery sector, taking in production and commercialisation of branded petrol, oil and lubricants.
Repsol would become the star brand for REPESA, who saw the world of motorsport competition as not just a great testing ground for their products but also an ideal method through which to invigorate the image of the brand. They would do this through an association with competition which with time would make them the top fuel company in Spain.
THE FIRST STONE
It was at the end of 1968 that the first stone was laid in the foundations of Escudería Repsol. One key man in the process was Jesus Sainz, vice-president of the Real Automovil Club de España. Sainz was the first in planning a colaboration between a producer of petrol derivatives –REPESA- and a racing team.
Alongside the Count of Villapadierna -President of the Spanish Automobile Federation, he established contact with the Italian Jolly Club team. President Paolo de Leonibus and Sporting Director Roberto Angiolini would be the alma máter of the Jolly Club.
In the years 1964 and 1965, the Jolly Club –with their Alfa Romeos and Lancias- were regularly invited to participate in rallies in Galicia, Spain. For the Italians, racing in the Rias Bajas or Rias Altas events was a mix of holidays and exercise, but their presence in Spain served to bring the organisation closer to the top drivers of the day: Jaime Lazcano, Alberto Ruiz Gimenez, Eladio Doncel, etc. The ties would be strengthened, which would bring significant development in February of 1969.
In that year, with President Gil de Reboleño and Vice-President Jesus Sainz at the helm and institutional support from the Spanish Federation, RACE (Real Automovil Club de España) attracted the attention of REPESA President Luis Valero Bermejo with a project proposal. The idea of a team sponsored by Repsol was also backed by REPESA Vice-President Carlos Sanchez Sicilia, strengthening various Spanish series in programme that encompassed everything from rallies to hill climbs and road racing.
With an agreement signed with REPESA –in principle and practice the exclusive sponsor of the new Escudería Repsol structure would rely upon the Jolly Club for the technical contributions, supply of cars, infrastructure, maintenance, support etc.
It was in the years 1969 and 1970 that the Repsol logo would adorn a sports car for the first time, on the Alfa Romeo, Lancia Fulvia HF and various Porsche machines of the day. The famous white R, on an aqua blue background and marking the centre of a bullseye inside white and red circles, was debuted, with the Repsol Jolly Club inscription on the front wings.
