PremiAir Racing team principal Roland Dane has firmly dismissed reports that Nick Percat was offered Declan Fraser’s seat at the team, describing the story as having “not a shred of truth” to it.
Fox Sport’s MotorRacing 360 program this week aired what it called “a big exclusive,” claiming that Percat had been approached to replace Fraser in the #777 entry effective immediately and that Percat had knocked back “a loose offer” to honour his Enduro Cup contract with Red Bull Ampol Racing.
Speaking exclusively to Speedcafe.com in Perth, Dane was unequivocal in his response.
“Not a shred of truth. Not even a gnat of truth to it,” said Dane, who also owns the building in which Percat’s JND Racing driver development team is based.
“I’ve had one contact with Nick in the last few months, and that was to tell him the alarm had gone off on his building. It just shows you people will invent things just for the sake of it.”
Speculation over Fraser’s future at PremiAir has grown following a difficult campaign for the 25-year-old, which included a trio of 21st-place finishes at Townsville. Dane was candid after that round that the #777 car was “in the wrong postcode,” but the team moved quickly to support Fraser’s development, conducting a rookie test at Queensland Raceway on the Wednesday following Townsville, where Enduro Cup co-driver Nash Morris also turned laps.
“We had a good test,” Dane confirmed. “Declan’s got a deal to the end of the year, and you never say never, but certainly we’re not about to make a change at the moment, I can promise you.”
As for Percat, the veteran driver has already committed to partnering with Broc Feeney at Red Bull Ampol Racing for this year’s Enduro Cup, following the conclusion of his full-time Supercars career.
The Perth Super 400 continues this weekend at Wanneroo Raceway.
Stay in the loop with PremiAir Racing all weekend long! Get live race coverage and exclusive team updates via our WhatsApp Channel, proudly powered by Air & Allied Sales.
Join now: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaEGGiJ2kNFlJu5eeo1H
For more information on PremiAir Racing, please visit www.premiairracing.com or follow the team on its social media platforms at www.facebook.com/PremiAirRacing/, www.instagram.com/premiair_racing/, www.linkedin.com/company/premiairracing/ and www.x.com/premiairracin