Stanaway outlines clear 2024 target
For Richie Stanaway, the target with new team Penrite Racing in 2024 is simple — win.
The New Zealander will return to Supercars in a full-time capacity next year with the Grove-run team after four years out of the saddle.
Come the 2024 season opener, Stanaway will have completed three Supercars starts — all enduros — and a handful of GT races since he departed at the end of 2019.
Stanaway’s pathway back began with a stirring performance aboard a Bathurst wildcard last year, which paved the way to a co-drive with Shane van Gisbergen and Triple Eight.
With David Reynolds off to Team 18, the Groves came calling, and Stanaway knew it was a chance he couldn’t turn down.
Ahead of his first co-drive with van Gisbergen — the Penrite Oil Sandown 500 on September 15-17 — Stanaway was clear with what he wants to achieve with Penrite Racing.
“The target is to win,” the 31-year-old said on the Rusty’s Garage podcast.
Stanaway has already tasted success with Triple Eight in '23
“Both Penrite Racing and myself are very clear about that, we don’t want to be making up the numbers.
“We’ll be doing everything we can to win. Off we’re coming short of that, neither of us will be happy.
“That’s what the target is, and we’re both going to be pushing to achieve that.”
Stanaway does have a Supercars victory, with Cam Waters at the 2017 Sandown 500. The duo also challenged for Bathurst victory, and scored a Gold Coast podium.
The Kiwi’s first full-time stint in Supercars — with Tickford (2018) and Garry Rogers Motorsport (2019) — didn’t produce results, and Stanaway effectively gave racing away.
However, before he has turned a racing lap with Triple Eight, Penrite Racing emerged as potential full-time suitors, and Stanaway said it “felt right”.
“They reached out after SMP and it all came together really quickly,” he said of the Grove deal.
'There’s still a lot that I can learn from him'
“The more I looked into it, I just couldn’t find anything other than green flags.
“Just with the people that they’ve recruited and the way they’re going about everything, I just was more and more impressed the more I looked into it, and it just felt right to me.
“I just had a gut feeling and I’ve gone with that gut feeling, and I think it should hopefully work out well."
For now, Stanaway will play a crucial role in not only a great chance to win Supercars’ biggest races, but also help van Gisbergen to a fourth championship before the latter departs at season’s end.
“I’m excited to drive with Shane, there’s still a lot that I can learn from him,” Stanaway said.
“There’s only so much I can learn from the test days. But to go and race with him, there’s a lot I can absorb from him before he goes to the US.
“I’m really excited to see how we can go. He’s second in the championship with two of the highest available points coming up in the next two races.
“If we have a good run through, there’s his championship to think about. I’m feeling up to the task in terms of doing my role."
