Supercars CEO Shane Howard steps sideways
By Andrew Clarke
Date posted: 25 March 2025
CEO Shane Howard moves to a new role as Supercars begins its hunt for a new boss
After more than 20 years at the forefront of Australian motorsport, Shane Howard has stepped down from his role as Chief Executive Officer of Supercars.
Howard has been involved pretty much since the day V8 Supercars started, and he has held numerous senior roles within the organisation.
He will take up a new role as Director – Motorsport and join the board of Racing Australia Consolidated Enterprise (RACE), the owners of the Supercars organisation, as Supercars searches for his replacement. He will transition into the new role when the CEO starts with Supercars.
In its media announcement today, Supercars says the changes are part of a restructure to ‘support the growth of its domestic operations and drive its expansion into international markets’.
Howard’s journey with Supercars began in 1997 at the Bathurst 1000, where his passion for motorsport and operational prowess first aligned with the organisation’s vision under the leadership of showbiz entrepreneur Tony Cochrane.
In 2001, he was appointed to lead the events division, which saw critical expansion through street tracks in Australia – some of which are still running today – and New Zealand and adventures to further flung lands in the Gulf States, China and the United States.
Finals have been introduced under the Shane Howard era. Image: Supplied
In 2011, Howard became a founding member of the Supercars Commission as Chief Operating Officer, overseeing event management and motorsport operations and working closely with government stakeholders across the country.
While working as the COO, he was appointed as Acting CEO three times, while Supercars transitioned its leadership before being appointed to the position permanently at the start of the 2022 season.
In that role, he further solidified Supercars’ place as one of the premier sporting properties in the Southern Hemisphere in the immediate post-COVID era.
Under his leadership, the organisation embraced new media and digital transformation, introduced fresh partnerships, and laid the groundwork for future growth. This included a proposed Perth street race for 2026, which—alongside Toyota’s entry into the series next year—will surely be seen as his legacy.
Howard is widely respected in motorsport for his collaborative approach, business acumen, and enduring commitment to the sport. His departure marks the end of a significant chapter in Supercars’ history.
Supercars has started a global search for his replacement.
Howard said it is the right time to step away from the top, but remains committed to the sport.
“The demands of motorsport continue to grow, requiring an increasing level of focus and strategic direction to ensure the continued success of Supercars,” he said.
“After more than three years as CEO, I believe now is the right time to transition into a role that allows me to concentrate on the sporting and technical side of the business, which has always been a great passion of mine.
“I’m extremely proud of what we’ve accomplished in recent years and remain deeply committed to the future of Supercars.
“I’m excited to continue contributing in my new role and I look forward to working alongside the business and the Board to evolve the sport and deliver long-term success for its stakeholders.”
His new role will focus on driving the strategic evolution of Supercars, including leading engagement with key motorsport bodies and manufacturers, overseeing Toyota’s integration into the championship in 2026, and supporting international expansion initiatives.
Nettlefold thanked Howard for his impact.
“Shane’s contribution to Supercars as CEO has been outstanding, and his expertise will remain invaluable as we continue to grow the sport,” he said.
“We thank him for his leadership as CEO and look forward to his continued impact in this new capacity.”
Image: Supercars
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