Silly Season 2026

[stevo qld]

https://autoaction.com.au/2025/05/10/brad-jones-racing-tipped-for-toyota-switch-xiberras-still-undecided-on-2026-move

Meanwhile, Peter Xiberras has confirmed that he has yet to settle on a manufacturer for 2026 but hopes to make a decision before the next round of the championship.


PremiAirs Peter Xiberras and recently appointed CEO Gwyn Dolphin are still thinking about which brand they will run beyond 2025.

The PremiAir Racing boss remains one of the key wildcards in the ongoing manufacturer shake-up. Despite running Chevrolet Camaros and being heavily invested in GM-aligned race car programs, Xiberras is understood to be genuinely conflicted about his next move.

Reports suggest he is weighing up a switch to Ford and retaining his alignment with Triple Eight or doubling down on his existing GM relationship. Both camps are reportedly pushing hard, and Xiberras will meet with new Supercars Program Manager for General Motors, Simon McNamara, for the first time tomorrow.

If PremiAir do move to Ford, I would surmise that it would be in 2027 after another year with existing 88 GM equipment.

Peter has an extensive, no very extensive, collection of past GM Commodores. If he goes to Ford, the collectors' market may get a real shakeup.

I suspect that Simon McNamara has a large bucket of incentive available.

4 less GM with the BJR switch. There are a diminishing number of GM cars.

I really wonder why GM persists considering the GM range of vehicles available to the Australian buyer, and generally relatively expensive.

GM could take their tents and go quietly into the night.

They sell Fords in Australia.
They sell Toyotas in Australia mass market.

[skaifeman]

I'm half inclined to think that Pete has seen an opportunity here to get some extra $$$ from Chev. They're weak in 2026, and PremiAir are arguably their strongest team.

[muz]

I don't think Ford want another team, do they?

[skaifeman]

They seem happy with their 5 team quota, but that was before the GM fallout/fire sale that has ensued.


Waters makes the right move, set to remain at Tickford for 2026.
https://www.v8sleuth.com.au/waters-rejects-gm-overtures-set-to-stick-with-tickford/

Whilst Tickford are looking for more investment.
https://speedcafe.com/supercars-news-tickford-racing-sale-ownership-investment-cam-waters-thomas-randle/

[murph_fan51]

https://www.supercars.com/news/supercars-news-2025-cam-waters-thomas-randle-tickford-racing-deals-extend-silly-season-2026-ford

Confirmed.
Some pretty good loyalty there from Cam

[skaifeman]

I'd suggest Reynolds is gone... but who do you replace him with?

https://speedcafe.com/supercars-news-perth-super440-david-reynolds-team-18-contract-driver-market-update-silly-season-2026/

On one hand, being part of the GM Homologation team might have some status, but on the other, Team18 haven't created anything that desireable. It's a downstep or sideways move at best for almost anyone on the grid.

[muz]

Charlie Schwerkolt is a career killer. Holdsworth escaped by the skin of his teeth. Winterbottom and Pye were ended, Reynolds will be now as well.

This team is a dud, it's unbelievable they are the GM Homologation team.

Anton is up next - he got sold a dream and will be a co-driver within 3yrs.

[skaifeman]

The results aren't terrible for Anton, seems to be consistently back half of the top 10 - Frosty was doing similar from memory for a few years there.
It's more the way they handle things from the top - Charlie may be a business man, but it doesn't mean he needs to make every deal sour. Funnily enough, Holdsworth returns for the enduros this year.

Surely JC takes a plumb co-drive and this is just his sense of humour kicking in?
https://speedcafe.com/supercars-news-james-courtney-retirement-bathurst-1000-co-drive-future-2026/

888 seems full. Tickford might be the front runners given how highly he speaks of his short time there, but Frosty would already have the Waters gig.
I wouldn't put a return to WAU off the cards either - it might depend what the little birdies are saying about the Supra, parity-wise.
Hell, even a return to DJR would be cool. And there's always the Charlie connection, in the (now) GM backed 18!

[stevo qld]

Charlie Schwerkolt is a career killer. ...

I can't recall any driver going to team 18 who wasn't already over his peak performance or had never really reached peak performance.

In a lot of cases it was drive for Team 18 or retire.

Maybe GM will find a decent front running driver for the team.

[AlbertM]

A month later and Premiair still not committed?   

[mikeamerica84]

A month later and Premiair still not committed?   

Yeah, but they can always hold their cards, Albert.  I mean, they already have the RECs.  It is not like they are trying to break into the series with any manufacturer.  Negotiating for the best future I reckon. 

I think Richie's future might be in doubt, though.

[muz]

Charlie Schwerkolt is a career killer. ...

I can't recall any driver going to team 18 who wasn't already over his peak performance or had never really reached peak performance.

In a lot of cases it was drive for Team 18 or retire.

Maybe GM will find a decent front running driver for the team.

This is exactly the issue - driver blaming.

Good drivers can't fix ****box cars.

[AlbertM]

A month later and Premiair still not committed?   

Yeah, but they can always hold their cards, Albert.  I mean, they already have the RECs.  It is not like they are trying to break into the series with any manufacturer.  Negotiating for the best future I reckon. 

I think Richie's future might be in doubt, though.

GM aren't playing the game that most think they are.

[muz]

Who drives at BRT next year?

[Joe5619]

A month later and Premiair still not committed?   

Yeah, but they can always hold their cards, Albert.  I mean, they already have the RECs.  It is not like they are trying to break into the series with any manufacturer.  Negotiating for the best future I reckon. 

I think Richie's future might be in doubt, though.

GM aren't playing the game that most think they are.

do tell..