'Everyone was writing us off': Team 18 boss hits back at critics
Team 18 stepped up as Chevrolet's homologation team immediately
Anton De Pasquale won Sydney Saturday race, claimed points lead
Team 18 took GM homologation role from Ford-bound Triple Eight
There's no question that Team 18 flew under the radar heading into the 2026 Repco Supercars Championship.
There was stability on the driver front, and minimal change among their engineering group, however there was one key change to their operation.
With Triple Eight making their high-profile switch from General Motors back to Ford, it left Chevrolet Racing scrambling to find a new homologation team.
Ultimately, Team 18 were the General's choice in what was a slim field in terms of historical success, and some were quick to question the selection of a team that had only won a single race in 10 years as a standalone team.
Those questions were answered emphatically in just the second race of the year, as spearhead Anton De Pasquale put on a faultless performance under a blowtorch applied by Brodie Kostecki in the dying laps.
Team Principal Adrian Burgess was a bullish figure post-race, armed with De Pasquale's race winner's trophy in one hand, and the team's trophy in the other. It was clear that the veteran had kept his receipts.
"It's huge for the team. It's huge for Team 18 in it's own right, but it's huge for Chevy as well," said Burgess on broadcast.
"Everyone was writing us off. Triple Eight going to Ford, everyone said we were going to be bit players and won't be in the game, so this is just great.
"We knew we could do this, this has been a bit of a journey for us. We've been getting stronger and stronger, and the boys executed a faultless day, so I couldn't be prouder.
"It's going to give everyone a really nice taste of this, and we're going to be doing it again."
However, winning one race is one thing, but winning multiple races is another.
It's something that Burgess himself is all too aware of, having led title-winning campaigns with Dick Johnson Racing and Triple Eight. Now, he wants to rediscover that magic with Team 18.
"It's huge, it's a huge moment," Burgess added.
"Hopefully for us it's the turning moment, and the guys get used to winning and they know how to win because there is something and teaching people how to win, and getting used to winning.
"This is the start of some good things."
