Photo: Supercars

‘Eyes forward’ for GM despite shock Triple Eight defection

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General Motors insists it is a case of ‘eyes forward on the 2025 Supercars season’ despite the announcement that Triple Eight is to switch back to Ford from next year.

After 15 years competing with Holden and Chevrolet machinery, the multiple champions will return to the Blue Oval next year bidding to take the brand back to the top – with Ford having last taking the title back in 2020 with Scott McLaughlin and DJR.

The departure of Triple Eight is set to leave Erebus Motorsport, Matt Stone Racing, PremiAir Racing, Brad Jones Racing and Team 18 to represent Chevrolet on the grid, with managing director of General Motors Australia New Zealand Jess Bala admitting it was ‘disappointing’ to see Triple Eight leaving the fold.

“GM has had a long and highly successful partnership with Triple Eight Race Engineering,” she said.

“We share the disappointment with fans about their decision, and the news that they will be moving to Ford in 2026.

“Eyes forward on the 2025 Supercars season – and we look forward to extending our full support to all the Chevrolet Racing Camaro teams, for another year of on track success.”

Triple Eight are the second major player on the Supercars grid to confirm a change of manufacturer after Walkinshaw Andretti United revealed that it will become the homologation partner of Toyota when it enters the series with the Supra GR in 2026.

That will see three brands represented on the grid for the first time since Nissan’s departure, with Supercars set to work with GM on plans for the future.

“We acknowledge Ford’s decision to appoint Triple Eight Race Engineering as its Homologation Team from the 2026 Repco Supercars Championship season, subject to the formal approval process with Ford’s Supercars teams,” Supercars CEO Shane Howard said

“This marks an important step in Ford’s commitment to the category as it looks to the future of its Supercars programme. This evolution has already sparked plenty of debate among our dedicated fan base, whose passion and loyalty has, and always be, the heartbeat of our sport.

“We will continue to look forward to an exciting new chapter for the category, where Ford and Chevrolet are set to be joined on the grid by Toyota in 2026. Triple Eight remains committed to General Motors (GM) for 2025, and we will now work with GM on plans for 2026 and beyond.”