Blanchard Racing Team swoops on Stanaway for 2026 enduros
Blanchard Racing Team swoops on Richie Stanaway for 2026 enduros
Stanaway to line up alongside former GRM, PremiAir teammate James Golding
2023 Bathurst winner Stanaway parted ways with PremiAir before 2025 was out
Richie Stanaway has landed a co-drive in 2026 alongside former PremiAir Racing driver James Golding with Blanchard Racing Team.
In a major silly season twist, Golding and Stanaway will line up alongside each other for the 2026 season's longest races, a year after racing out of the same team.
It marks a quick comeback to Supercars for Stanaway, who departed PremiAir Racing with two rounds remaining in the 2025 season.
After news broke of his split with PremiAir for 2026, Stanaway told Supercars.com he had plans to return in 2026 with a competitive co-drive.
Tuesday's news is a big coup for BRT, given Stanaway has great form as a co-driver. The New Zealander won the 2017 Sandown 500 with Tickford Racing, and the 2023 Bathurst 1000 with Triple Eight Race Engineering.
“BRT is a team that’s clearly building in the right direction and feels like a really good fit for me," Stanaway said.
"Jimmy had a good crack at the Mountain this year, and having been teammates all season, knowing how each other drives and what we want from the car gives us a real advantage.
"I’m looking forward to getting started and seeing what we can achieve.”
Tim Blanchard, Team Principal and BRT, co-owner, added:“Having Richie join us, with his background as a Bathurst 1000 winner and several years of full-time competition, is a big lift for the team.
"The fact he and Jimmy already know how to work together only strengthens that, and it gives us confidence we can hit the ground running.
"This pairing reflects where BRT is heading and our intent to put ourselves in the best possible position to compete at the front in the enduros.”
Golding starred in the 2025 Great Race, crossing the line first before being reclassified third following a penalty.
“I’m really excited to be teaming up with Richie for the 2026 enduros. We have been teammates a number of times in the past, but usually racing against each other rather than sharing a car," Golding said.
"Over that time we have built a strong relationship and a good understanding of how each other works, so teaming up feels like a very natural fit. Richie’s experience and results speak for themselves, and I know first hand how talented he is.
"Having someone of Richie’s calibre join us is a significant step forward for Blanchard Racing, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what we achieve together.”
