Triple Eight Race Engineering co-founder Roland Dane will expand his recent consultancy role at PremiAir Racing to become team principal in 2026.
Dane will bring loads of experience from both locally and internationally to PremiAir Racing after being the head honcho of Triple Eight Race Engineering’s operations for multiple decades as he led the team’s expansion into Australia.
Owned by entrepreneur Peter Xiberras, PremiAir Racing first entered the Repco Supercars Championship in 2022 after taking on the Tekno Autosports operation owned by the Webb family led by Jonathon.
“I have known Peter for a number of years now and I have been following closely how things had been going with PremiAir Racing for quite some time, even before I started with the team in a consulting role this year,” Dane said.
“Working with the team this year has allowed me to really get a deep understanding of how the team operates and how they all work together, there are definitely some good points with this team but also room for improvement which I’m keen to get involved with next year.
“I have Peter’s 100 percent commitment about making sure that the potential this team has is realised and I am greatly looking forward to the challenge as team principal in 2026, I would like to thank Peter and the team for welcoming me.”
PremiAir Racing has been a long-time Triple Eight customer since its inception into the series and has many former staff members from the title winning squad led by competition director Ludo Lacroix.
Bringing Dane onboard is a key moment for PremiAir Racing as it still aims to achieve its first win and is set to welcome two new drivers for the 2026 season.
“I have come to know Roland over quite a few years and I have always admired what he created with his racing empire,” Xiberras said.
“The first time we met was in 2019 when I purchased my first Triple Eight car and he has been someone that I have highly respected ever since.
“This year we have been working with Roland on some projects for PremiAir Racing and having him go from a consultancy role to full-time will be a great opportunity for our team.
“The knowledge, expertise, and work ethic that Roland brings to the table is simply immense and having built Triple Eight into a championship dominating powerhouse, the decision to have him as our team principal is something that just makes sense from every angle.
“I am looking forward to continuing to work with Roland in this new capacity in the new year, and to see what we can achieve together as we look to move PremiAir Racing up the grid.”
PremiAir nearly took victory in the recent Repco Bathurst 1000 through James Golding and David Russell after crossing the line first, but a penalty was added post-race following contact during the battle for the lead during the final laps.
Dane will begin his new role in January next year.