Inside the Global Search: Why Barclay Nettlefold Backed James Warburton

James Warburton wasn’t offered the Supercars CEO job—he fought for it. And in Auto Action Premium Magazine’s latest exclusive, we reveal how RACE conducted a global recruitment process before selecting the only person who’d done the job before.

Barclay Nettlefold confirmed the board shortlisted five candidates from Australia and abroad before Warburton emerged as the standout, combining proven results with deep sport knowledge and a broadcast-savvy mindset.

“He left on good terms last time, knows the team owners, and understands what it takes to grow the business. We knew he could hit the ground running,” Nettlefold said.

Warburton didn’t wait for a phone call—he made one. The pair had stayed in touch since Warburton’s time at Seven, and when news broke of a leadership change, he told Nettlefold he wanted back in. What followed was an intense application process—and a plan that convinced RACE the time was right.

Warburton has wasted no time. Within two days of his unofficial return, he had spoken with every team, senior government stakeholder, and staff member. His focus is on uniting the sport with a shared sense of purpose and driving significant growth, both domestically and internationally.

“I’ve never worked harder to get a job,” he said.

For more on how the appointment unfolded, including Barclay’s reasons, James’ personal motivation, and what it means for Shane Howard’s future role, read the full story in Auto Action Premium Magazine out now.

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