The Supercars field is split over the TRC negotiation. Image: InSyde Media
Public release of a planned 14-round calendar is awaiting a resolution to the TRC discussions that have been ongoing for the bulk of the year.
Supercars’ owner RACE is in the difficult position of needing to renegotiate the contract it holds with teams in order to ensure it can afford to continue to hold more than 12 rounds.
The contract agreed when RACE took ownership of the business in late 2021 dictates a base payment to teams for 12 rounds, plus additional monies for extra events up to a total of 15.
However, the revenue-based metrics utilised in the calculation baked into the TRC are said to result in a required payment for extra events from 2027 and beyond that is unviable for RACE.
Team interest in the negotiation was being handled by an elected four-man panel consisting of Brett Ralph (DJR), Matt Stone (MSR), Brad Jones (BJR) and Ryan Walkinshaw (Walkinshaw TWG).
It’s understood nine months of back-and-forth resulted in an offer of approximately $900,000 per TRC per season, an uplift of around $100,000 on the 2026 arrangement.
While that was acceptable to the four-man representative group, it drew a mixed response when shared with the remainder of the teams.
Speedcafe.com understands TRC holders Triple Eight, Grove Racing, Erebus Motorsport, PremiAir Racing and SCT Motorsport rejected the proposal.
Those teams – owned by some of the most successful business people in the sport – have now taken up the discussion with RACE, acting largely through a legal representative.
Supercars boss Barclay Nettlefold pictured with T8 co-owner Tony Quinn. Image: InSyde Media
RACE requires a 75 percent supermajority of TRC holders to agree in order to make amendments.
The five teams are adamant RACE must find a way to pay the amount owed, said to be over $1.2 million for a 14 round season, through whatever financial instruments necessary.
Other squads have expressed frustration over the development, believing that taking the deal already on the table gives the teams an uplift without financially crippling RACE.
RACE boss Barclay Nettlefold acknowledged to Speedcafe at Bathurst that a split among the teams is holding up the calendar, which is often announced at the Great Race.
“There’s a majority that have approved in principle what we’ve positioned and we’re still working with a minority group that are wanting more clarity around the data and information,” he said.
“It’s all amicable and we expect we’ll get to an agreed position with all teams any time soon.
“We’re working through the data points now to make sure they’re comfortable with the work we’ve done with the majority of the teams so far.”
While the risk of shrinking to 12 rounds remains real, Nettlefold is adamant the doomsday scenario won’t happen and that a compromise will be reached.
A 12-round calendar is seen as a disaster for the health of the championship, which already struggles for momentum in a crowded entertainment market.
Grove Racing and T8 are among the five teams. Image: InSyde Media
Anything less than 14 rounds would also result in Supercars needing to pay back money to broadcaster Fox Sports.
“At the end of the day we are fully committed to expanding and growing the sport,” said Nettlefold.
“We’ve got a board-approved calendar, so we just want to make sure everyone is aligned with our key objectives.
“Once that’s done, we’ll be in a position to submit it, hopefully in the next couple of weeks.”
The position taken by the five teams has led to suggestions the TRC saga could push RACE into financial stress and force changes to its structure.
Nettlefold has been chairman of the business since bringing together the RACE consortium that bought Supercars in 2021 – a deal that included teams divesting their remaining 35 percent.
He took over the acting CEO role in April when differing views within the business resulted in the sudden exit of James Warburton, which remains a sore point for some team bosses.
Nettlefold continues as acting CEO while the TRC negotiations unfold and said he has no concerns over the future of RACE.
“It’s not even a question of that. It’s a question of ensuring we’re all understanding each other’s objectives for the best interests of the sport,” said Nettlefold.
“And that includes making sure the teams feel they are getting what they deserve and we recognise that.”
Practice for the Bathurst 1000 kicks off today.