Stanaway joins Triple Eight as #97 co-driver
By Timothy Neal
Date posted: 13 January 2023
Triple Eight has made the surprsie annoucement that Richie Stanaway will partner Shane van Gisbergen as his co-driver for its 2023 Gen3 season.
Following on from his Peter Adderton backed Boost Mobile wildcard drive in the 2022 Bathurst 1000 with Greg Murphy, the Tauranga born Kiwi joins the three-time Supercar champion for an all New Zealand assault on the Sandown 500 and Bathurst.
Many expected Garth Tander to continue as SVG’s co-driver after the pair took out two Bathurst 1000’s in three years, but Tander recently switched camps to Penrite and Grove Racing on a multi-year co-driver deal.
The 31-year-old Stanaway first made his Supercars debut in 2016 before winning the Sandown 500 in 2017 with Cam Waters at Prodrive Racing (now Tickford), and has made five Bathurst 1000 and Four Sandown 500 appearances.
The two-time Formula 2 race winner, NZ Formula Ford, and German Formula 3 and ADAC champion, sees his partnering with SVG and Triple Eight as the perfect scenario.
“I’m incredibly excited to be joining the team in 2023. It’s a huge opportunity for me and I’m so grateful to work with such an amazing team,” Stanaway said.
“It’s the best possible outcome for me after doing the wildcard program at Bathurst last year. To drive for arguably the best team in the field with the best driver in the category is the best-case scenario as a co-driver…I can’t ask for much more than that.
Stanaway in the #51 Boost Mobile wildcard entry at the 2022 Bathurst 1000.
“For now, it’s about preparing as best as I can and getting my racing mileage up as much as possible. I’ll continue to do a lot of simulator work to stay sharp…that was the main way I prepared for Bathurst in 2022.”
Stanaway was initially earmarked as being the driver for Adderton’s attempt at getting a team, and or wildcard entries in 2023, after he purchased a Gen3 Camaro from Triple Eight at the Gold Coast 500 last year.
“It was quite a big ask to come back last year and take on the primary co-driver role, obviously because I hadn’t been racing much over the last three years. It’s given me confidence having done that now and stepping into this co-driver role,” he continued.
“I want to thank Boost Mobile and Peter Adderton for their support, as well as Greg Murphy who I drove with last year. They’ve been instrumental in getting me back on the right track which has led to this opportunity.”
Cam Waters (L) and Richie Stanaway celebrating their victory in the 2017 Sandown 500. Photo: Dirk Klynsmith
Van Gisbergen says he’s looking forward to working with his compatriot as he gets a feel of what it’s like working with the team.
“It’s exciting to team up with Richie this year. It was great to see him come back last year, and he did an awesome job at Bathurst with Murph,” the 2022 champion said.
“This year’s enduro season, especially given the Sandown 500 is back, should give him a chance to get acquainted with the team, a feel for the car, and an understanding of how we all work.
“He’s been in some good equipment before as a co-driver and winning Sandown back in 2017. I think with Triple Eight, he has every opportunity to help us get a good result, and I think he’ll be a huge asset for us.
“Richie will attend all of our test days and ride days, and probably a few races throughout the year as well, just to learn how we approach things and become a part of the team as early as possible, so when it comes time to drive he’ll be ready to go.”
After the most successful year in the team’s history, Team Principal Jamie Whincup is confident that their environment can bring the best out of Stanaway.
“The team and I are delighted to have Richie teaming up with SVG for this year’s Sandown 500 and Bathurst 1000,” Said Whincup.
“Triple Eight’s ethos is about providing the necessary resources to support talented drivers in reaching their full potential, which I think we’re yet to see with Richie. His performance at last year’s Bathurst 1000 is a testament to what he can achieve in this sport.
“He’ll be an exciting addition to the team, and I can’t wait to see what this Kiwi-combo can achieve come enduro season.”
For more of the latest motorsport news pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION.
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