General Motors opens up on new homologation team search
General Motors opens up on new homologation team search
Current homologation team Triple Eight moving to Ford
General Motors "acting with urgency," decision a "top priority"
General Motors is "acting with urgency” to nominate a new homologation team in Supercars, following Triple Eight’s move to Ford.
GM executives confirmed to media on Thursday in Sydney, ahead of this weekend's first round of 2025, that the powerhouse marque has committed to Supercars to 2026 and beyond.
It comes just weeks after current GM homologation team and 2024 champion squad Triple Eight Race Engineering confirmed its switch to Ford from next season.
Ford has expressed its desire to nominate Triple Eight as its new homologation team in Supercars, which is subject to a vote from teams.
Toyota will join the sport in 2026, and has nominated Walkinshaw Andretti United as its homologation team.
Chevrolet Racing General Manager Chris Payne said selecting GM’s new homologation team is a "top priority,” but said a definite timeline hasn’t been placed on the decision.
"We need to do that to take on and continue the legacy battle between GM and Ford in the sport, and take on Toyota coming forward,” Payne said.
“We do intend to work quickly in conjunction with Supercars on the appointment of a new homologation team for GM. We aren't going to put a definitive timeline on that for you today.
"But be assured that we will be acting with urgency. It is a top priority.”
At current, GM is represented by Triple Eight, Erebus Motorsport, Matt Stone Racing, PremiAir Racing, Brad Jones Racing and Team 18 in Supercars.
GM cars have won the last four drivers' and teams' championships, as well as the last five Bathurst 1000s.
Erebus won the drivers’ and teams’ championships in 2023, the first season of the Gen3 era with the Chevrolet Camaro, and won the Bathurst 1000 last year.
MSR, BJR and Team 18 have also won in Camaros since the beginning of 2023.
On the homologation team process, Payne added: “We'll continue with Triple Eight until the appropriate time when we pivot to a new homologation team.
"And then we anticipate there to be a very cohesive, transition and handover period to the new HT.
“We will create a new formula for success and in the new era that will leverage the very best of the Chevrolet racing teams. From Matt Stone Racing, Team 18, Brad Jones, Erebus and PremiAir. This will help us collectively generate excitement for the fans and continue the on track incredible success of the Camaro."
"When asked if no natural replacement Triple Eight was a fair observation, Payne replied: "I think that that's reasonably fair. Triple Eight has set a benchmark in the sport.
“Each of the teams have their own particular style and operation and ownership structure and resources. And the challenge here is to pull that and make them collectively, competitive with the car."
Supercars will return to Sydney Motorsport Park for the opening race of what is set to be the most action-packed season in Supercars history.
Race 1 takes place on Friday night, with Race 2 on Saturday night and Race 3 on Sunday afternoon. Tickets for the February 21-23 event are on sale now.
