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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDeclan Fraser will race with PremiAir in 2026. Image: Kassandra Brumley<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDeclan Fraser will race with PremiAir in 2026. Image: Kassandra Brumley<\/p>\n
Then there are the unlucky few like Declan Fraser, who work their way to the top only to spend a season in Supercars before being left out in the cold.<\/p>\n
Fraser was an unfortunate casualty in Tickford Racing\u2019s downsizing from four cars to two at the end of 2023.<\/p>\n
Cam Waters and Thomas Randle remained while James Courtney survived the cull by joining an expanded Blanchard Racing Team.<\/p>\n
Fraser resurfaced at Brad Jones Racing in 2024, joining Andre Heimgartner for the two endurance races. He returned in 2025, scoring a career-best seventh in the Bathurst 1000.<\/p>\n
So how did Fraser go from relative obscurity to a full-time return with PremiAir Racing in 2026?<\/p>\n
It turns out, a dogged attitude and persistence pay dividends.<\/p>\n
Unannounced, Fraser turned up to PremiAir Racing\u2019s workshop on the Gold Coast to hand team owner Peter Xiberras his CV in person.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s funny actually. I\u2019ve been grinding at Pete to let me drive his cars obviously since it all went down with Tickford,\u201d Fraser told Speedcafe.<\/p>\n
\u201cI went in last year and I even handed in a full resume. I walked in his front door, went up to his desk, and gave them a resume of everything that I\u2019ve done in my career, just trying to prove myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MH6_9866.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
The #62 PremiAir Racing Chevrolet Camaro driven by Jayden Ojeda at Sandown Raceway. Image: Mark Horsburgh<\/p>\n
After Fraser\u2019s exit from Supercars, the Super2 Series winner turned his attention to GT World Challenge Australia where he raced against Supercars full-timers Broc Feeney, Will Brown and Jaxon Evans.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was staying in front of the guys and doing everything that I possibly could to just stay relevant \u2014 I was driving different categories,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was gaining experience elsewhere, and I think Roland [Dane] and Pete [Xiberras] and also Pete Vale as well, they see that I\u2019ve gone away, I\u2019ve experienced a lot of things in my life, and I\u2019m no longer just a fresh face that doesn\u2019t really know what\u2019s going on.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got the life experience and also the racing experience behind me. I think that, along with just being relevant and staying in front of people, is the biggest thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fraser paid homage to Brad Jones Racing for taking him on as he fought to keep himself on the radar.<\/p>\n
Now the 25-year-old is on the cusp of restarting his Supercars career.<\/p>\n
He got an early taste at Sandown Raceway as part of a ride day with the team, sharing the #62 Chevrolet Camaro with Jayden Ojeda \u2013 who he\u2019ll be teammates with in 2026.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel reinvigorated,\u201d said Fraser.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been two years of just absolute grind and just in the slums, basically just trying to dig myself out of a trench.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a massive thank you, firstly to BJR, who took me on board as a co-driver to give me the chance to show myself on the stage, and then for PremiAir to pick me up, it\u2019s pretty cool.<\/p>\n
\u201cLike I said, it\u2019s two years in the making, and to get here and get another chance at it, I\u2019m super excited.<\/p>\n
Asked what he had learned in the last two years on the sidelines, Fraser said he had gained \u201ca lot of life experience\u201d \u2013 which cruelly included losing some of his prized possessions in a fire.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a classic old saying, and even Jimmy [Golding] said it at breakfast the other day \u2013 you wish you knew what you know now back then,\u201d said Fraser.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s definitely uncommon for people to come back [to a full-time drive]. I just never gave up, that\u2019s the thing,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are a lot of people that have been in my position before and and thought it\u2019s the end, but I had a strong belief that I\u2019d get back.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the right people behind me, I\u2019ve been able to do so. I\u2019ll never stop fighting no matter what.\u201d<\/p>\n
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