There is always something special about heading west, and I must admit that Perth has always been a place I enjoyed racing. The last time I competed there, it wasn’t at Wanneroo Raceway but at the Perth Motorplex drag strip, where I was fortunate enough to take an event win in the Australian Top Fuel Championship. So, I suppose you could say I’ve done my bit to set the benchmark for our team in Western Australia!
Now it’s our turn to get the job done as we head to the Perth Super440 at one of the sport’s most iconic venues.
Wanneroo Raceway has been a favourite on the Supercars calendar for decades. Opened in 1969, it is the third-oldest circuit currently used by the championship and has built a reputation for producing hard racing. At just 2.42 kilometres in length, it is one of the shortest circuits we visit all season, but that doesn’t make it any less demanding. With lap times under a minute, there is very little opportunity to recover from mistakes, and every session carries added importance.
Qualifying is always a major focus in Perth, and this weekend’s format places even more emphasis on executing when it matters most. Saturday features back-to-back two-part knockout qualifying sessions, while Sunday’s schedule includes another knockout format followed by the Top Ten Shootout. Starting near the front is always valuable, but around Wanneroo, where overtaking opportunities can be limited, strong qualifying performances can make a significant difference to the outcome of the weekend.
Pit stops will also play a huge role. They are critical at every Supercars event, but on a circuit this short, every second counts even more. Track position can change very quickly, and strategy, clean execution and consistency from everyone over the wall will be vital if we want to maximise our opportunities across the three races.
Our preparation has been thorough, and the entire team understands what is required. Since Townsville, Declan Fraser has also completed a productive test day at Queensland Raceway, giving him valuable additional time in the PremiAir Racing Camaro and allowing the team to continue refining our package ahead of this weekend. Declan has raced at Wanneroo Raceway previously in both Super2 and Supercars, so he’ll arrive with experience of the circuit to build on. For Jayden Ojeda, Perth also marks an important milestone in his career, as it was where he first drove a GT3 car, launching what has become a successful GT racing career. Together, both drivers continue to build valuable experience within our team, and every round provides another opportunity to strengthen our understanding of the cars and continue developing our overall package. The focus remains on executing cleanly, making the most of every session and continuing to build momentum as the season progresses.
There is also plenty of work that goes on behind the scenes before we even arrive at the circuit. Getting a Supercars team to Perth is no small exercise, and I’d like to acknowledge our truck driver, Mick, who has another enormous task ahead of him. A round trip of around 10,000 kilometres is one of the biggest logistical challenges of the season, and it’s a reminder that success on race weekend relies on the efforts of everyone in our organisation, not just those you see in pit lane.
As always, this championship rewards consistency, preparation and execution. We know there is still work to do, but we also know the direction we are heading. Every event gives us another opportunity to keep improving, and Perth is no different.
I would also like to thank our partners and fans for their continued support. We never take that support for granted, and we’re looking forward to putting on a strong showing for everyone who backs PremiAir Racing.
Let’s go racing.
Peter Xiberras
PremiAir Racing Team Owner
PremiAir Racing will provide updates throughout the weekend across its website and social media channels.
For more information on PremiAir Racing, please visit www.premiairracing.com or follow the team on its social media platforms.