2026 co-driver market update: Where do the big vacancies lie?

Tony D'Alberto's contract renewal at Dick Johnson Racing is the latest piece of the puzzle to be locked in for the make-up of the 2026 Ryco Enduro Cup grid.

Confirmation of the Shell V-Power Racing Team's enduro lineup earlier today takes the number of confirmed co-drivers up to 15, leaving nine full-time seats up for grabs, plus the sole confirmed wildcard entry to date.

More than half the available enduro seats are now full, however there are still some competitive seats that currently don't have a confirmed co-driver as of time of publication.

Before we run through the highest profile seats that are yet to finalise plans for co-drivers, it's important to run through the seats that have been filled since the bp Adelaide Grand Final in November.

What seats have been locked down since Adelaide?

Immediately following the bp Adelaide Grand Final, Penrite Racing announced the acquisition of Will Davison to complete their enduro roster alongside Tim Slade. At the time of publication, final combinations with Matt Payne and Kai Allen are yet to be officially confirmed. Just before Christmas, Blanchard Racing Team made a big splash in the co-driver market, locking down 2023 Repco Bathurst 1000 winner Richie Stanaway to join new recruit and former teammate James Golding in the #7 Mustang. Now, D'Alberto returns for his 11th enduro season with DJR, alongside an already confirmed Todd Hazelwood.

What are the key seats remaining, and who is in the running?

Car #6 - Cam Waters, Tickford Racing

The biggest seat that is currently unconfirmed on the co-driver market is the #6 Monster Mustang, with Cam Waters' 2026 co-driver yet to be formally announced. There shouldn't be a surprise sprung here with Mark Winterbottom in line to return following a fine return to his old stomping ground, claiming second at The Bend alongside Waters. His contributions off-track, especially to Tickford's Super2 juniors, have been equally valuable.

Car #55 - Thomas Randle, Tickford Racing

Whilst one side of the Tickford garage is set to maintain stability in the enduros, there will be changes coming to the other side. Thomas Randle will welcome a new co-driver after James Moffat announced his departure in November, ending an eight-year tenure with the team. South Australian youngster Reuben Goodall, part of Tickford's Super2 squad, has been linked to the co-drive in the #55 Castrol Mustang.

Car #8 - Andre Heimgartner, Brad Jones Racing

Brad Jones Racing are on the lookout for a replacement for Declan Fraser, who after two years serving as Andre Heimgartner's co-driver departs for a full-time return at PremiAir Racing. The lure of a drive in a brand-new Toyota GR Supra will also be appealing for any prospective. Emerging as a frontrunner is Bryce Fullwood, who after departing BJR's full-time lineup at the end of last season could now return to the Albury fold in the R&J Batteries Supra.

What other seats remain?

BJR's other two co-drives also have question marks next to them. Macauley Jones has been joined by Jordan Boys in every enduro since 2022, whilst Brad Vaughan impressed in BJR's Super2 operation last season, winning the final race of the year in Adelaide. The former Tickford junior dovetailed that program with an enduro co-drive.

Matt Stone Racing will also have at least one change, as Tim Slade joins Penrite Racing. Cameron McLeod was speedy in his co-driving stints last year, although made a costly error while running out front at The Bend. BRT are yet to lock down a co-driver for Aaron Cameron, though Zak Best starred alongside him at Bathurst last year, whilst Jack Perkins has been linked to the SCT Motorsport co-drive, a team he last drove for in 2020.

Then there is the wildcard element, with Team 18 yet to sign a young gun to place alongside Craig Lowndes in their newly opened wildcard program. Tickford and Matt Stone Racing also ran wildcards in the 2025 Ryco Enduro Cup, and with both teams running Super2 programs in 2026, they have young talent they can lean on to fill the rosters of any potential wildcard entry. Don't count out more wildcards popping up, either.

2026 Ryco Enduro Cup grid (as of Tuesday, January 13)

WC indicates wildcard entry