Grove helps Stanaway make full-time Supercars return

Richie Stanaway ready for Supercars return - Photo: LAT

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: 21 August 2023

Richie Stanaway will return to the Supercars grid in a full-time capacity for the first time in five years with the help of Grove Racing.

He has been named as David Reynolds’ high-profile replacement to make an all-Kiwi combination with Matthew Payne for the Ford squad in 2024.

The announcement arrives despite Stanaway only recording one Supercars start since 2019, but he will share the coveted #97 Triple Eight Camaro with Shane van Gisbbergen in the enduros.

The Kiwi ended a three-year hiatus from the category at Bathurst last year when he raced an Erebus backed #51 wildcard with Greg Murphy.

Richie Stanaway is preparing to co-drive with Shane Van Gisbergen at Sandown and Bathurst.Image: Mark Horsburgh

Stanaway led the assault and qualified an impressive fourth before taking the chequered flag in 11th.

After Peter Adderton’s dream of fielding Stanaway in a Boost Mobile Racing Camaro failed to materialise and the Kiwi was snapped up by Triple Eight for co-driving duties, he was touted as a wildcard in the silly season.

Now the 31-year-old has landed a seat in the crazy 2024 driver market, he is grateful for the opportunity to race in Supercars again.

“I would like to thank Penrite Racing for the incredible opportunity to be a part of the team next year,” Stanaway said.

“I’ve been impressed by the direction the team has been heading in recent years and have been enjoying my time in the Gen3 era thus far so I am excited to see what we can achieve together.”

Richie Stanaway will join fellow Kiwi Matt Payne at Grove Racing. Image: EDGE Photography

Stanaway has racing experience all over the world including a GP2 victory on the streets of Monte Carlo in 2015.

But by 2016 Stanaway set his sights on Supercars and joined Chris Pither in the SuperBlack Racing Falcon and finished 10th on the Saturday of the Gold Coast 600.

The following year he was taken up by Prodrive (now Tickford) to partner Cameron Waters which led to the highlight of his career.

The duo clicked and conquered the Sandown 500, beating Scott McLaughlin and Alex Permat by just 0.6s.

Youngsters Cam Waters and Richie Stanaway win Sandown 500 - Photo: Dirk Klynsmith

Youngsters Cam Waters and Richie Stanaway win the 2017 Sandown 500.

Having also impressed in the extremely slippery conditions at Bathurst and finished second on the Gold Coast, Stanaway was given a full-time berth in 2018.

However, it did not go to plan with the #56 Falcon finishing 25th and second to last in the championship with just one top 10 finish.

This saw Stanaway and Tickford cut ties after just one season and the Kiwi was a late addition to Garry Rogers Motorsport’s squad in 2019 with Boost Mobile.

Richie Stanaway topped the final session of the day - Photo: InSyde Media

Richie Stanaway had his first crack at full time racing with Prodrive in 2018, but it did not go to plan.

But that relationship was also tested with Stanaway initially missing seven races due to a neck injury, while he was also stood down in the middle of the Gold Coast 600 due to disciplinary reasons.

After finishing 24th with one top 10 result in 2019, Stanaway retired from the sport.

But much like his current co-driver, he returned in 2022 at Bathurst and is now fully reintegrated having completed plenty of Gen3 testing miles in preparation for his high-profile co-drive with SVG.

Richie Stanaway made his last Supercars start at Winton - Photo: InSyde Media

Richie Stanaway completed his last full time Supercars season in 2019 with GRM.

Stanaway will become the new face of Grove Racing, replacing former lead driver Reynolds and team owner Stephen Grove believes their new driver will put it on the path to glory.

“As we continue to build the race team, securing a driver of Richie’s calibre is extremely exciting,” he said.

“It is giving the team the opportunity to challenge for race wins and championships.

“Richie’s experience and feedback will be great for the team to further develop moving forward.

Richie Stanaway ended a three-year hiatus from Supercars with a strong Erebus wildcard effort with Greg Murphy at Bathurst last year.

“I wish Dave all the best as he moves forward and thank him for his contribution to the team over the last three seasons.”

With it already being announced New Zealand will return to the Supercars calendar at Taupo next year, having an extra local on the grid will give Kiwis an even bigger reason to get excited for 2024.

Turn up the volume and enjoy the Auto Action Rev Limiter podcast

This week Nascar was the focus with SVG and Brodie Kostecki making their way to the Indy road course, while Rodney Jane let some loose on the Thunderdome at Calder, while we also preview The Bend as the Supercars silly season hots up.

Listen to our latest podcast episode on your podcast app of choice or here on Apple Podcasts.

For more of the latest motorsport news, pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION

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