Encouraging start to Roland Dane-led PremiAir Racing era

One first year rookie, a second year rookie, a new Team Principal. You could've easily forgiven PremiAir Racing for building into their brave new era.

However, if the first impression at the Destination NSW Sydney Test Day was anything to go by, they won't need any time at all to get up to speed.

Both of their Camaros ended the day inside the top eight on the lap charts, with rookie Jayden Ojeda fifth and full-time returnee Fraser in eighth.

However, perhaps more telling was their overall mileage for the day, with Fraser and Ojeda competing the sixth and seventh-most laps of anyone, combining for a total of 145 laps across four hours.

Say what you will about how much of a form guide you can generate from the shorter Druitt Circuit layout, and who was using what tyres, PremiAir went about their business without a fuss, and impressed in doing so.

It's a perfect match to the pre-season message from team owner Peter Xiberras, namely that this season isn't about rebuilding, but about results.

Whilst Ojeda and Fraser might have only 53 career Supercars starts between them, they are battle-hardened, and eager to make a statement this year.

Ojeda has starred over the last few years in several co-drives whilst also impressing around the world as a Mercedes-AMG Junior Driver, whist Fraser has endured hardships on and off-track in recent years.

Both drivers were endorsed by new Team Principal Roland Dane, who makes a stunning return to the day-to-day operations of a Supercars team.

Despite that, there has been minimal fuss and talk off-track. They want to let results speak for themselves.

"Coming off 10th place in the Team’s Championship and with a double driver change, some might expect that 2026 will be a rebuilding year for us – but that is not how we see it," Xiberras said pre-season.

"Roland Dane is family within our team now, sitting in the Team Principal’s seat and focused on the job at hand.

"Under his leadership, the goal is on performance from day one. As part of this, he has made it clear there are internal expectations to meet, even if he is not publicly outlining them.

"He has never been one for bold predictions, preferring to prove it on track before talking about it, and I can tell you the message for the team is simple: let the results do the talking."

They weren't the only young guns who made a statement yesterday, with Matt Stone Racng rookie Zach Bates leading the Chevrolet contingent in an impressive third.

Both drivers return to Sydney Motorsport Park this evening for the second session of the Destination NSW Sydney Test Day, before the opening race of the season tomorrow night.

Tickets for the DUNLOP Sydney 500, including free entry for DUNLOP Free Friday tomorrow night, are on sale now.