October target for new technical director

Supercars has commenced the search for a new sporting and technical director, with a successful candidate expected to be locked in by October.

Current category technical chief David Stuart announced last month he’d leave the role to move into a new safety and operations position with CAMS.

Stuart will continue with Supercars until the end of the year, overseeing the homologation of the Ford Mustang, for which aerodynamic testing will be undertaken in December.

Supercars CEO Sean Seamer says the company plans to confirm a replacement by the Vodafone Gold Coast 600 on October 19-21.

“We’ve let the team owners know that we’re currently taking expressions of interest," Seamer told Supercars.com.

“We’re looking to short-list candidates in mid-September, conduct interviews by the start of October and then announce a replacement by the Gold Coast.”

Stuart took on the role after a 20-year stint working in Supercars teams, undertaking lengthy stints at Dick Johnson Racing and Stone Brothers Racing/Erebus Motorsport.

Whether his replacement comes from within the paddock or further afield is yet to be determined, with Seamer confirming overseas applications have already been made.

“There have already been expressions of interest from Europe, as well as Australia,” he said.

“The preference is to find the right person, where they come from doesn’t matter to us.

“As you’d expect, the role is quite an attractive one, so we’ll just have to see who puts their hand up between now and October.”

Supercars’ in-house technical firepower has grown markedly under Stuart’s reign, with its aerodynamic and engine parity processes greatly improved.

The championship will enter a new era in 2019 as the Mustang becomes the first two-door body shape to be applied to the control chassis.