Late-night efforts deliver PremiAir's Gen3 debut

A final late-night push has helped Tim Slade and James Golding deliver PremiAir Racing’s first Gen3 laps.

Golding and PremiAir recruit Slade turned their first Camaro laps in the former’s #31 car at Queensland Raceway on Thursday.

It came after Triple Eight and PremiAir staff turned around the car late into Wednesday night.

The #31 Camaro was joined on track by the two Red Bull Ampol cars, which were also assembled out of Triple Eight’s Banyo headquarters.

Golding helped the car — complete in black testing livery — to its first laps prior to midday, before Slade jumped in.

PremiAir is set to shake down Slade’s #23 car on Tuesday February 14.

For Slade, Thursday’s running was reward for effort given the mad dash to get the car to the track.

“The guys have been working furiously the last few months to get these cars together,” Slade told Supercars.com.

“Even late last night, the guys received some parts — it continued into the early hours of this morning.

“The guys completely finished the car at the track this morning. A massive credit to them for the work.

"And that work is ongoing now as they build the second car.”

For Slade, Thursday also represented his first official track day with his new crew, having joined from CoolDrive Racing in the off-season.

Slade — whose wife Dani delivered the couple's second child a day earlier — is also based close to PremiAir’s Gold Coast workshop in Arundel.

It ensures Slade has been able to spend time with his new team as both driver and crew embark on a new era.

'A massive credit to them for the work'

“It’ll be awesome being so close to the workshop,” he said.

“The last time I had a team close to home was SBR/Erebus back in 2013.

“It’s really nice to be able to head down to the workshop, jump in the car and be around the guys.

“They’re a great bunch of guys and girls, and Jimmy and I get along well, we'll work well together.

“Pete [Xiberras, team owner] is driven to succeed — it’s great to such such drive and motivation from the top.”

The 2023 Repco Supercars Championship will commence in Newcastle on March 10-12.

Tickets are on sale on Supercars.com and Ticketek.com.