PremiAir 'exploring options' for Jacobson replacement

Garry Jacobson’s mid-season exit from PremiAir Racing ensures a vacancy must be filled before Townsville.

It was confirmed Tuesday that PremiAir and Jacobson parted ways, effective immediately.

Jacobson remained with the team formerly known as Team Sydney through its acquisition by Peter Xiberras.

However, his stint in PremiAir colours lasted just six rounds.

Jacobson started the year strongly, notably scoring three top 10 finishes at Albert Park.

However, he since fell off the radar, and was recently involved in a number of incidents in Darwin.

Xiberras has set high expectations for the team, notably in the form of car rebuilds and the recruitment of Matt Cook from Triple Eight.

Only last week, Xiberras won the Top Fuelers Championship in Darwin.

The Xiberras-owned squad is now on the lookout for a replacement driver for the #76 Commodore.

"PremiAir Racing is exploring its options regarding a replacement driver for the #76 Subway PremiAir Racing Supercar,” the team statement reads.

"Announcements regarding the new driver for the #76 will be made at the earliest possible opportunity.

"PremiAir Racing will be making no further comment regarding Garry’s departure and wishes him well for his future endeavours."

Zane Goddard and Kurt Kostecki have firmed as the favourites to secure the seat.

Goddard recently joined PremiAir Racing at a test at Queensland Raceway.

Dunlop Super2 Series drivers Cameron Hill and Tyler Everingham also cut laps in PremiAir cars, as did Carrera Cup driver Harri Jones.

Red Bull Ampol Racing driver Broc Feeney also helped the team on the day.

Critically, Feeney set laps in both cars as a baseline, putting both Pither and Jacobson on notice with regards to car pace.

Goddard has one full-time Supercars season, with Matt Stone Racing, to his name.

The Queenslander raced alongside Jake Kostecki with MSR last year following the shared ’SuperLite’ programme in 2020.

He parted company with MSR at the end of the year, with the team recruiting Todd Hazelwood and Jack Le Brocq.

Kostecki was also a candidate to join PremiAir Racing in the most recent off-season.

Chris Pither replaced Fabian Coulthard alongside Jacobson.

Kostecki made wildcard starts for Walkinshaw Andretti United last year, and raced in Bathurst for MSR with his brother.

He recently engineered Eggleston Super3 driver Kai Allen.

Goddard and Kostecki are both contracted to Tickford Racing for this year’s Repco Bathurst 1000.

Should either Goddard or Kostecki land the PremiAir drive, Tickford will also be on the lookout for a new co-driver.

The 2022 season will resume in Townsville next month. Purchase your NTI Townsville 500 tickets now.