What sold 'exceptionally talented' Stanaway to PremiAir boss

PremiAir Nulon Racing team owner Peter Xiberras was convinced Richie Stanaway had "what it takes" through the enduros, which paved the way to the Kiwi's 2025 lifeline with the team.

Announced Friday, outgoing Penrite Racing driver Stanaway will replace Tim Slade, who recently announced his retirement from Supercars.

Replaced by Super2 champion Kai Allen, Stanaway appeared set for the Supercars scrapheap, but an impressive return to form in recent months piqued Xiberras' interest after prized target Brodie Kostecki signed with Dick Johnson Racing.

Stanaway was the benchmark in wet sessions in Tasmania and Sandown, and led teammate Matt Payne early in the first enduro of the season before an untimely engine failure.

“There is no doubting Richie is exceptionally talented – you don’t have a CV like his or win the Bathurst 1000 by accident after all," Xiberras said.

"And while he was forced to endure an early exit at Sandown this year, it was clear that he has what it takes, especially when the weather gods are against you.

“We look forward to having Richie join our team alongside Jimmy Golding and seeing what we can achieve together."

Stanaway rammed home his recent form with an impressive run at the Great Race, challenging Kostecki for the lead on lap 1 and running as top Ford for much of the race, only to drop down the field on the final lap after running out of fuel.

It came after he stunned in the Shootout, going out first and holding down top spot before Kostecki, who came out seventh, finally beat his time.

Ironically, one the cars that passed Stanaway on the final lap was future teammate Golding, who came home sixth, adding to his Sandown podium with David Russell.

That Sandown result proved to Stanaway that Xiberras' team is heading places, the 2023 Bathurst winner saying: "The commitment they have shown in the three short years they have been a part of the Supercars Championship is impressive.

“The results of that are really starting to show with their first podium coming at Sandown, and I look forward to hopefully being a part of many more great results to come from next year."

The 2024 Repco Supercars Championship will resume at the Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 on October 25-27. Tickets for the event are on sale now.

Live coverage can be found on Foxtel, with live streaming available on Kayo. The Seven Network will take free to air coverage. International viewers can follow all the action on Superview.