Dane blazes past early doubts over surprise PremiAir role
Roland Dane five rounds into life as PremiAir Racing Team Principal
Former Triple Eight supreme emerged with PremiAir during 2025
Jayden Ojeda recently qualified career best third, raced to sixth in Tasmania
Roland Dane insists he is enjoying his time at the helm at PremiAir Racing, which is bonding together under the former Triple Eight supremo.
Dane emerged out of retirement of sorts to return to the Supercars paddock, as Team Principal of Peter Xiberras' Gold Coast-based team.
The Irishman famously built Triple Eight from also-rans to one of Australia's most successful and professional sporting outfits, before handing the reins to driver turned boss Jamie Whincup in 2022.
Doubts were cast over Dane heading into 2026, with Triple Eight co-owner Tony Quinn quipping that Dane and Xiberras would fall out by March.
It's now June, and Xiberras has overseen Jayden Ojeda's rise from rookie to outside Finals chance, with Declan Fraser quietly improving round by round.
When asked about his role on Supercars' Equip Super Cool Down Lap podcast, Dane insisted he is all-in with the Camaro team.
"I've said it before, I'll say it again. If I wasn't enjoying it, I wouldn't be here, and I am enjoying it," Dane said.
"I'm enjoying the competition, I'm enjoying motor racing, but most of all I'm enjoying the team and the people in it."
Dane will turn 70 in October, and is one of the elder statesmen in the paddock. However, he is imparting crucial wisdom on pit lane's youngest team as it aims to climb the Supercars ladder.
Only PremiAir and Blanchard Racing Team are winless of current teams, with the latter taking a big leap forward in 2026 with ex-PremiAir driver James Golding behind the wheel.
While acknowledging old heads remain at the team, Dane was pleased to see young crew coming to the fore.
"A really good bunch of mostly young people, there's a couple of old pricks like me and Pete Vale [Team Manager] who have been around the block more times than we would like to let on," Dane continued.
"But mostly a really good, young crew, and it's satisfying to see the camaraderie, the fact that they've got each other's back so well going forward, that's really satisfying to see."
The 2026 season resumes in Darwin on June 19-21. Tickets are on sale now.
