Tander parts ways with Triple Eight

Garth Tander will not return with Red Bull Ampol Racing in 2023, the team has confirmed.

Tander, 45, has been Shane van Gisbergen’s co-driver since 2019.

In four years together, Tander and Gisbergen won the Bathurst 1000 twice — in 2020 and 2022 — and finished second in 2019.

They firmed to finish second in 2021 before van Gisbergen suffered a late tyre failure.

In 2019, they also combined to win the 2019 Sunday race on the Gold Coast.

Tander was signed by Triple Eight in 2019 after he missed out on a 2018 drive.

The 2007 series champion previously raced for Garry Rogers Motorsport between 2017 and 2018 after leaving the Holden Racing Team.

A statement from Triple Eight Race Engineering Managing Director Jamie Whincup reads: “GT has been a well-respected member of the Triple Eight team for the past four years, and we must acknowledge his remarkable contribution to the team which includes two Bathurst 1000 wins.

"Although we’re disappointed that he has decided not to renew his contract for next year, we must respect his decision.

"The search for his replacement is in full swing and I’m looking forward to speaking with drivers both domestic and abroad to find the best fit to co-pilot #97 alongside SVG for next year’s Sandown 500 and Bathurst 1000.”

Tander quickly reestablished himself as a leading co-driver with Triple Eight.

After coming close in Bathurst and winning on the Gold Coast, he also nearly won the 2019 Sandown 500.

Van Gisbergen led the race late on before suffering a suspension failure.

Tander was retained by Triple Eight for 2022 despite a driver bottleneck.

Jamie Whincup retired at the end of 2021, with Tander and Craig Lowndes already on the team’s books.

Whincup partnered with Broc Feeney, with Lowndes leading the team’s wildcard entry.

Tander again slotted in alongside van Gisbergen, and the pair duly claimed Holden’s final Bathurst victory.

The Perth-born driver has only ever raced Commodores, his 642 starts all coming in Commodores.

There are several co-drives up for grabs for the 2023 season, with Sandown also returning as an enduro.

Tander won the 2016 Sandown 500, which was his last victory as a full-time driver.

Sandown and Bathurst will form an expanded endurance season — Bathurst was the only enduro between 2020 and 2022.

Tander has won the Great Race five times, and has won the ‘500’ at both Sandown and Phillip Island.

The 2023 Repco Supercars Championship will commence in Newcastle next March.

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