PremiAir Racing signs Roland Dane as Team Principal

PremiAir Racing has pulled a major coup, appointing Roland Dane as its new Team Principal.

Dane, formerly the long-time, championship-winning Triple Eight Race Engineering owner and boss, will take the reins effective January 1, 2026.  

The Irishman has been doing limited consulting with PremiAir Racing throughout the 2025 season, with the Gold Coast-based Chevrolet squad's campaign recently headlined by a stunning Repco Bathurst 1000 podium last weekend.

General Motors was also leaning on Dane for advice and consulting amid the brand’s plans to remain at the top of the Repco Supercars Championship, with Triple Eight shifting to Ford next season.

Dane brought Triple Eight to Australia and Supercars in 2003, and led the team to unprecedented success before he handed the reins to Jamie Whincup in 2022.

Last year, he stood down from his role as non-executive Chairman of Triple Eight at the end of 2024, bringing a formal end to his Triple Eight tenure. It also ensured the Dane family no longer held an executive or financial role in the team.

Also last year, Triple Eight confirmed a strategic new ownership change, with Earl Evans and Steve Blackmore purchasing Jessica Dane’s 30 percent share of the team. Evans and Blackmore currently hold the CEO roles of their respective businesses, Shaw and Partners Financial Services and Southern Cross Truck Rentals.

Amid the new ownership, which was announced last July, Tony Quinn retained his 40 percent equity stake in the team, and Whincup remained Managing Director and Team Principal.

The 2025 season is PremiAir's fourth since buying out Team Sydney in the 2021/22 off-season. The team has undergone several management changes over the years; notably, Gwyn Dolphin completed a short-lived term as CEO earlier this year.

However, Dane arrives with a wealth of experience and results in Supercars, leading Triple Eight to multiple driver/team championship doubles and Bathurst victories.

“I have come to know Roland over quite a few years and I have always admired what he created with his racing empire," PremiAir owner Peter Xiberras said.

"The first time we met was in 2019 when I purchased my first Triple Eight car and he has been someone that I have highly respected ever since.

"This year we have been working with Roland on some projects for PremiAir Racing and having him go from a consultancy role to full-time will be a great opportunity for our team.

“The knowledge, expertise, and work ethic that Roland brings to the table is simply immense and having built Triple Eight into a championship dominating powerhouse, the decision to have him as our Team Principal is something that just makes sense from every angle.  

“I am looking forward to continuing to work with Roland in this new capacity in the new year, and to see what we can achieve together as we look to move PremiAir Racing up the grid.”  

Dane added: "I have known Peter for a number of years now and I have been following closely how things had been going with PremiAir Racing for quite some time, even before I started with the team in a consulting role this year.

"Working with the team this year has allowed me to really get a deep understanding of how the team operates and how they all work together, there are definitely some good points with this team but also room for improvement which I'm keen to get involved with next year.  

“I have Peter's 100% commitment about making sure that the potential this team has is realised and I am greatly looking forward to the challenge as Team Principal in 2026, I would like to thank Peter and the team for welcoming me.”