THOSE at the centre of crucial negotiations regarding Supercars’ Teams Racing Charter continue to be tight-lipped, not only publicly but with other squads.
Ryan Walkinshaw, Matt Stone, Brad Jones and Brett Ralph (Dick Johnson Racing) are the four team representatives at the centre of discussions with Supercars/RACE that will dictate the size of the calendar in 2027 – and potentially beyond.
The status quo since RACE took ownership of the championship has been for a mandated minimum of 12 annual rounds covered by the base payment to teams, with any further events requiring the additional distribution of money to each TRC holder.
A resolution to grow the 2026 schedule was not reached until spring last year, and another bout is in progress as all parties walk the fine line between teams being fairly compensated and RACE not overcommitting financially.
Paddock sources suggest it costs two-car teams $150,000 per event – far more than RACE has previously paid for top-ups.
RACE chairman and interim Supercars CEO Barclay Nettlefold (right). Pic: Ross Gibb
All parties however are in agreeance that they don’t want the worst-case scenario of shrinking the calendar back down to a dozen events, and there is a general air of confidence that 14 will again end up being the magic number.
The hot tip has been for Phillip Island to replace Queensland Raceway, with no other significant changes.
Team owners met on the Saturday night of the Perth Super440.
A common observation has been the extent to which the four elected representatives have kept their cards close to their chest.
Jones showcased that in a public sense last Thursday at Wanneroo, when asked in a pre-event media conference for an update on the situation.
“I can’t tell you anything,” he said, before reiterating there was “nothing to tell”.
Brad Jones chats with Supercars’ Tim Edwards and Shane Howard. Pic: Ross Gibb
Pressed if he could reassure fans that the calendar won’t shrink, Jones stood firm in keeping his guard up: “Your guess is as good as mine”.
V8 Sleuth put the question to Jamie Whincup if there was any angst about the ongoing secrecy, to which the Triple Eight co-owner and managing director offered a rather polite response.
“We’ve elected four representatives. To be honest, I’m grateful of the time they’ve dedicated to it,” he said.
“It’s a non-paying job, so they’re spending their time for the greater good of the group, so all in all, I’m respectful of that.”
It’s been reported that the negotiations could either result in a one-year tweak to the top-up figures paid by RACE to TRC holders, or a broader rewrite of the charter that could prevent the need for annual renegotiations.
