Former Holden racing boss announces GM Supercars role

General Motors has secured another coup, with former Holden Motorsport boss Simon McNamara to lead its Supercars program.

McNamara announced via Linkedin on Monday that he has joined the General as GM Motorsports Supercars Racing Program Manager.

According to a description, the role will see McNamara "leading and overseeing all competition aspects of the GM Supercars program, managing the relationship with the sanctioning body, and working with GM Motorsports to develop and execute plans to win races and championships in Supercars."

It marks the latest effort by GM to remain a Supercars powerhouse from 2026, amid Toyota’s arrival and Triple Eight Race Engineering’s switch to Ford.

In response to the big moves by Ford and Toyota, GM is re-establishing a local motorsport arm, and has been making some significant plays.

GM’s Supercars plans from 2026, headlined by Team 18 being secured as the homologation team, will see Chevrolet squads form a more united front. Under the alliance of sorts, GM teams will share data and set-up information.

The GM Supercars program will have access to GM's US resources, with Triple Eight technical guru Jeromy Moore also signing on to lead the engineering front.

McNamara and Moore join the likes of Craig Lowndes and KRE Race Engines in signing on with GM.

While Team 18 is the designated homologation squad, GM will take a direct role in the racing effort, with McNamara to serve in a crucial leadership role.

McNamara led Holden Motorsport during from the mid-2000s to 2017, spending over two decades with the brand.

He was pivotal in helping Holden achieve championship and Bathurst success in a decorated period for the brand, and was also a key player in bringing Triple Eight across from Ford in 2010.

After leaving Holden, McNamara has held roles at AFL club Western Bulldogs, sports management group DSEG and business management firm SolutionsWon.

The 2025 season will resume in Tasmania this weekend.