When PremiAir Racing rolled up to Sydney Motorsport Park for the 2025 Supercars Championship season opener back in February, they did so more prepared than ever before.
This level of preparation saw the Arundel-based team head into the first races of the year with optimism and quiet confidence; however, Lady Luck would soon do all she could to dampen that enthusiasm.
“Heading to Sydney, we were feeling exceptionally well prepared, because we had left no stone unturned going into the season opener, and we were ready for anything, or so we thought,” Team Owner Peter Xiberras reflects.
“First, Jimmy Golding’s car caught fire at the Test Day, with a fireball erupting when he put his foot on the brake to bring the #31 into the pit lane. Then on the Saturday, the engine let go in the #62 in what was Richie Stanaway’s first event for us, causing an undercar fire.
“These headaches were far from what we needed as we were looking to get off to a strong start, and while of course not being significant enough to derail our campaign, it certainly punched a big hole in our morale, and if I am honest, things started to unravel somewhat from there.”
At this point in the year, Peter was also still competing in the NDRC Top Fuel Championship. In March, he celebrated an exciting victory at the Perth Motorplex, which was swiftly followed by the decision to park the PremiAir Racing Top Fuel Dragster.
“To get the win in Perth in Top Fuel came at a really good time for the team, giving us all a bit of a boost,” Xiberras said.
“It was around this time that it was becoming very evident to me that the Supercars team needed my full attention.
“So, after claiming this win, it seemed like the perfect timing to take a sabbatical from the demands of Top Fuel Racing, so I could really concentrate on what we were doing with the PremiAir Racing Camaros.”
While it has been a tricky Supercars season for the team, it has not been without its highlights.
Across the 34 races, the team qualified within the top ten 17 times – nine from Shootouts – and within the top five 5 times; and brought home 12 race results within the top 10, three in the top five, and one podium – which came at none other than the Bathurst 1000 for Golding and co-driver, David Russell.
“We all know what happened at Bathurst, and to stand on the podium at Mount Panorama is always something to be celebrated, but of course for us it was a big case of what could have been,” Xiberras said.
“To cross the finish line first and yet stand on the third step was certainly a lot to wrap our heads around and is still something that leaves us with conflicted feelings now when we look back upon it.
“Having said all of that, when you look at the big picture, it shows our potential. It shows what we can do, that we can genuinely be in the frame to win the biggest race of the year. As Ludo said in his interviews at the Adelaide Grand Final, we just need to stop making mistakes.
“We have been very proud of the crew and how the pit stops have improved across the year; they are consistently delivering slick stops, which is a big part of the equation. But we need to stop making mistakes that result in poor qualifying, in race penalties or damage.
“We need to bring it all together – fast cars, no mistakes in the lane or on track, good qualifying, strong race pace, clever strategy, and smart driving.
“When we can do that, that is when more shootouts, more poles, more podiums, and hopefully our first win, will come – and I am determined for this to happen in 2026.
“Make no doubt, next year is all about our redemption arc, that is for sure.”
As he steers the ship through an intensive off-season program to make sure a resurgence in 2026 is possible, Xiberras thanks those who have supported the team throughout it all.
“We are very thankful, of course, to our passionate fan base and to our valued supporters for their continuing backing as we do all we can to make our mark in this crazy Supercars game,” Xiberras said.
“I also want to take a moment to thank our drivers – Jimmy, D-Russ, Richie, Nash Morris, and new recruit Jayden Ojeda – for their efforts across the year aboard the PremiAir Racing Camaros. We wish Jimmy and Richie well for the future and look forward to having Jayden back with us for his first full-time’ main game campaign in 2026, alongside his fellow new signing to our team, Declan Fraser, and of course also our returning co-drivers in Russell and Morris.
“A big thank you also to our team for their dedication and hard work across the year, and once again I want to recognise Ludo Lacroix for all he has achieved for us, and our OG crew member Andy Hackett, who also departed as of the end of the Adelaide Grand Final for his contributions from the very beginning.
“Here is to a big 2026 ahead – it is not going to be easy, but we are never ones to shrink from a challenge.”
Stay in the loop with PremiAir Racing over the off-season! Get 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/premiairracing
