Whincup: Triple Eight/DJR Ford handover 'in progress'
Triple Eight/DJR Ford handover "in progress," says Jamie Whincup
Triple Eight set to replace DJR as Ford's homologation team in Supercars
Team 18 to take over from Triple Eight in General Motors fold
Triple Eight Race Engineering boss Jamie Whincup says the Ford homologation team transfer with Dick Johnson Racing is “in progress,” despite admitting to hurdles in the process.
Triple Eight will make a blockbuster move from General Motors to Ford in 2026, and was nominated to become Ford’s homologation team, subject to ratification by a majority vote of Ford's Supercars teams.
Triple Eight and Team 18 are nearing completion of the GM homologation team handover negotiations, but Whincup told media in Perth there have been “complications” in the Ford handover.
Long-time Triple Eight technical chief Jeromy Moore is set to join GM in July amid a release from Whincup’s team.
Triple Eight’s shift to Ford is likely to include the Ford engine supply deal, which DJR is currently running the program through its Motorsport Powertrains arm.
Regardless of the move, Triple Eight will continue to race Chevrolet Camaros until the end of the 2025 championship. However, it has already made some moves ahead of its Blue Oval defection.
Notably, Triple Eight purchased its Banyo workshop from former boss Roland Dane, while the team rolled its first Gen3 Ford chassis into its workshop in April. It has also been receiving CAD files from Ford.
Speaking to media in Perth, Whincup suggested Ford is helping work through said complications, saying: “It’s in progress, for sure.
“It’s got its complications, I won’t lie, so we’re working through that via Ford, but confident we’ll get there no problems.”
Triple Eight's ownership group, which includes Whincup, is embarking on a major investment to conduct works on its Banyo headquarters, which it purchased from Dane earlier this year. The workshop purchase comes as Triple Eight looks to upgrade its facilities, which includes a new engine shop.
Triple Eight is now co-owned by Tony Quinn (40%), Whincup (30%), Earl Evans and Steve Blackmore (30%).
Whincup said the incoming works are a sign of Triple Eight wanting to meet the standards Ford expects, adding: "We're taking the responsibility very, very seriously.
"The Ford Motor Company is a huge company, and they expect results. We've out or hand up for that job, it's a huge job, and we're going to make sure we deliver.
"That's included big investment at our warehouse, to make sure it's fully up to spec, and someone like a Ford Motor Company would expect. We're looking forward to doing the best job we can, and representing them very, very well from '26 onwards."
