Triple Eight shows off maiden Mustang
By Thomas Miles
Date posted: 26 September 2025
The return of Triple Eight to the “Blue Oval” has reached top gear with the team showing off its first Mustang.
Triple Eight start at Ford in 2003 and won its first three Bathurst 1000s and two championships before making a shock switch to Holden in 2010.
Despite replacing HRT as GM’s flagship team and breaking records over the last 15 years now racing Chevrolet Camaros, the juggernaut will make an equally shocking move back to Ford in 2026.
After a BRT Mustang wrapped in its 2025 Red Bull livery was shown off at the reveal earlier this year, the team has built its first Gen3 Mustang.
The maiden Triple Eight Mustang will be used as part of the wind-tunnel parity tests to take place in the USA at the end of the year alongside the Chevrolet Camaro and Toyota GR Supra.
Triple Eight Managing Director Jamie Whincup released the following statement on the team’s full-circle moment 16 years in the making.
“What an incredible few months it’s been at Triple Eight Race Engineering,” Whincup said.
“Today marks a truly significant milestone for our team, and for me personally.
“We’ve just completed the very first Triple Eight-built Ford Mustang Supercar, and it’s now prepped and ready for its journey to the United States for Supercars’ mandated wind tunnel testing at the end of the year.
“This is a full-circle moment, really. For those who remember, Triple Eight started in Supercars as a Ford team back in 2003, and we enjoyed a successful run with the Blue Oval until the end of 2009.
“That era saw us bag three Bathurst 1000 victories with Craig Lowndes and myself, along with my first two drivers’ championships in 2008 and 2009.
“It was a fantastic period that laid the foundation for our team’s future dominance.
“Now, as we look ahead to 2026, we’re returning to Ford, and the excitement around the workshop is palpable.
“Seeing this Mustang come together, piece by piece, has filled me with immense pride.
“The dedication and hard work from every single person in our team is nothing short of phenomenal.
“To get this car built to such a high standard, ready for its crucial wind tunnel validation, is a credit to them all.
“This transition is a massive undertaking, and our team has tackled it with their usual relentless pursuit of excellence.
“This isn’t just about changing badges; it’s about a renewed partnership and a shared vision with Ford Racing.
“As Managing Director, my role is to do what’s best for Triple Eight, and this move is a logical progression for the team’s future.
“We’ve recognised the same passion at Ford that we have here at Triple Eight, and their commitment to motorsport, globally and in Supercars, is impressive.
“We’re eager to continue our legacy of success and push the boundaries of performance with the Mustang platform.
“We’re excited to be part of the Ford Performance ecosystem and the opportunities this long-term partnership will bring.
“The future is bright, and I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together. Bring on 2026!”
Image: Supplied
Read the new issue of Auto Action Digital HERE
Buy the new issue of Auto Action Premium HERE
Don’t forget the print edition of Auto Action available via subscription here or you can purchase a copy of the latest issue from one of our outlets here.
Recent Stories
array (
0 =>
WP_Term::__set_state(array(
'term_id' => 11,
'name' => 'Latest News',
'slug' => 'latest-news',
'term_group' => 0,
'term_taxonomy_id' => 11,
'taxonomy' => 'category',
'description' => '',
'parent' => 0,
'count' => 16791,
'filter' => 'raw',
'cat_ID' => 11,
'category_count' => 16791,
'category_description' => '',
'cat_name' => 'Latest News',
'category_nicename' => 'latest-news',
'category_parent' => 0,
)),
1 =>
WP_Term::__set_state(array(
'term_id' => 38,
'name' => 'Supercars',
'slug' => 'supercars',
'term_group' => 0,
'term_taxonomy_id' => 38,
'taxonomy' => 'category',
'description' => 'The Supercars Championship, currently known as the Repco Supercars Championship, is the premier motorsport category in Australasia and one of Australia\'s biggest sports. It originated from the Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC), which held its first race in 1960 at Gnoo-Blas in Orange, New South Wales. The ATCC evolved over the years, and in 1997, it was rebranded as the V8 Supercars Championship, eventually becoming the Supercars Championship we know today.
Some of the leading drivers in the history of the Supercars Championship include Peter Brock, who is often referred to as the "King of the Mountain" for his nine victories at the Bathurst 1000, a race that is considered one of the biggest in the series. Other notable drivers include Dick Johnson, Marcos Ambrose, Craig Lowndes, Shane van Gisbergen, Jamie Whincup, who holds the record for the most championship titles, and Mark Skaife, who has also been a dominant force in the series.
The Bathurst 1000, held at Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, is arguably the most famous race in the Supercars calendar. Other significant races include the Sandown 500 and the Adelaide 500, which are known for their challenging circuits and thrilling competitions.
The Supercars Championship has grown to become a globally recognized series, known for its competitive racing and passionate fan base. It continues to be a major part of Australia\'s motorsport culture, attracting top drivers and teams from around the world.',
'parent' => 0,
'count' => 5624,
'filter' => 'raw',
'cat_ID' => 38,
'category_count' => 5624,
'category_description' => 'The Supercars Championship, currently known as the Repco Supercars Championship, is the premier motorsport category in Australasia and one of Australia\'s biggest sports. It originated from the Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC), which held its first race in 1960 at Gnoo-Blas in Orange, New South Wales. The ATCC evolved over the years, and in 1997, it was rebranded as the V8 Supercars Championship, eventually becoming the Supercars Championship we know today.
Some of the leading drivers in the history of the Supercars Championship include Peter Brock, who is often referred to as the "King of the Mountain" for his nine victories at the Bathurst 1000, a race that is considered one of the biggest in the series. Other notable drivers include Dick Johnson, Marcos Ambrose, Craig Lowndes, Shane van Gisbergen, Jamie Whincup, who holds the record for the most championship titles, and Mark Skaife, who has also been a dominant force in the series.
The Bathurst 1000, held at Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, is arguably the most famous race in the Supercars calendar. Other significant races include the Sandown 500 and the Adelaide 500, which are known for their challenging circuits and thrilling competitions.
The Supercars Championship has grown to become a globally recognized series, known for its competitive racing and passionate fan base. It continues to be a major part of Australia\'s motorsport culture, attracting top drivers and teams from around the world.',
'cat_name' => 'Supercars',
'category_nicename' => 'supercars',
'category_parent' => 0,
)),
2 =>
WP_Term::__set_state(array(
'term_id' => 2029,
'name' => 'ZZZ-Email',
'slug' => 'email',
'term_group' => 0,
'term_taxonomy_id' => 2029,
'taxonomy' => 'category',
'description' => '',
'parent' => 2031,
'count' => 7347,
'filter' => 'raw',
'cat_ID' => 2029,
'category_count' => 7347,
'category_description' => '',
'cat_name' => 'ZZZ-Email',
'category_nicename' => 'email',
'category_parent' => 2031,
)),
3 =>
WP_Term::__set_state(array(
'term_id' => 2031,
'name' => 'ZZZ-RSSFeeds',
'slug' => 'zzz-rssfeeds',
'term_group' => 0,
'term_taxonomy_id' => 2031,
'taxonomy' => 'category',
'description' => '',
'parent' => 0,
'count' => 6702,
'filter' => 'raw',
'cat_ID' => 2031,
'category_count' => 6702,
'category_description' => '',
'cat_name' => 'ZZZ-RSSFeeds',
'category_nicename' => 'zzz-rssfeeds',
'category_parent' => 0,
)),
)
