Tim Slade’s confirmation at PremiAir Racing leaves five seats for 2023 still to be decided albeit just one appears likely still open.
The veteran driver’s move to PremiAir Racing has long been predicted since his exit from Blanchard Racing Team was announced earlier this season and his replacement Tod Hazelwood was recently confirmed.
Current driver James Golding is expected to retain his spot, albeit competition from fellow young drivers including Declan Fraser and Zane Goddard is expected.
Slade is excited to lead PremiAir Racing into the Gen3 era.
“I’m excited to be joining Pete [Xiberras] and his team at PremiAir Racing,” Slade said.
“I admire Pete’s passion and drive to succeed and am very much looking forward to contributing and furthering the progress the team has made in year one.
“Whilst I’m excited for what lies ahead, there’s also part of me that is sad to be leaving the Blanchard family and team.
“I have made some great memories over the past two years.
“I would like to say a big thanks to the Blanchards, the team and the wider CoolDrive family.”
Although Golding is expected to partner Slade, this remains one of the seats to be decided alongside three at Brad Jones Racing alongside Andre Heimgartner and the final availability is as teammate to Jack Le Brocq at Matt Stone Racing.
It is predicted Brad Jones Racing drivers Bryce Fullwood, Macauley Jones and Jack Smith will remain at the Albury-based squad, with the latter’s family holding the Team Racing Charter for the entry.
Fraser is favourite to take the seat at Matt Stone Racing albeit the squad’s Repco Bathurst 1000 co-driver Jayden Ojeda is still in contention.
A wildcard is Peter Adderton’s push towards securing the remaining 26th TRC for his own team to field New Zealander Richie Stanaway. If it is successful, it will be Stanaway’s first full-season since 2019 when he raced for Garry Rogers Motorsport in what was that team’s final Supercars season.