KRE to extend contract as Chevrolet Supercars engine supplier

KRE Race Engines will continue to supply engines to Chevrolet teams in the Repco Supercars Championship.

The Ken McNamara-run KRE is the single engine supplier to Camaro teams. Motorsport Powertrains — which is owned and run by Dick Johnson Racing — supplies engines to Ford teams.

Questions over KRE’s engine supply future were raised after current General Motors homologation squad Triple Eight Race Engineering announced its move to Ford from 2026.

Ford has nominated Triple Eight as its homologation team in Supercars from 2026, pending a vote from teams.

Triple Eight had also voiced a desire to have KRE supply Ford engines from 2026.

Speaking at the Sydney season opener, Chevrolet Racing General Manager Chris Payne said his preference was for KRE to only supply GM engines.

Additionally, Payne reiterated that GM was "firmly entrenched in partnership” with McNamara.

Confirmed Friday, KRE will continue to supply GM 5.7 litre V8 powerplants to Camaro teams.

A GM statement reads:

KRE Race Engines to extend contract for engine supply to GM Supercars teams

KRE Race Engines will continue to support the ongoing development and supply of the Chevrolet Racing LTR V8 engine, a powertrain that has delivered success in the Gen3 era.

Ken and Wendy McNamara have built and supplied engines to GM teams for over 15 years, and these engines have powered teams, drivers, and their cars to some iconic victories.

The dedication and expertise of KRE has been a major contributor to the competitiveness of the Camaro ZL1 in the Supercars series.

The results for the Chevrolet Racing based teams, with two back-to-back Championships in the Gen3 era, are a testament to the LTR GM powertrain and the efforts of McNamara and his team.

Chris Payne, General Manager Chevrolet Racing commented: “We believe that the powertrain is a critical part of the DNA in the sport of Supercars, and that the fans want to see that aspect of the competition continue with strong brand differentiation.

“We look forward to working with and extending our relationship with KRE in Supercars.”

It comes as GM closes on its decision to nominate a new homologation team to replace Triple Eight, following meetings with all GM teams in Sydney.

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. Triple Eight, meanwhile, won the 2023 Bathurst 1000 and both 2024 championships.