ZANE Goddard has been awarded an earlier than expected return to the Repco Supercars Championship, becoming the first ever Gen3 wildcard.
The 23-year-old had already been signed by Triple Eight Race Engineering to partner Craig Lowndes at this year’s Sandown 500 and Bathurst 1000.
But he will not have to wait until September to make his racing return, with Goddard now announced for a solo start at next month’s Darwin Triple Crown.
The three races at Hidden Valley will be his first shot at redemption since his involvement in an early pile-up in the 2022 Great Race.
For the occasion – as well as the enduros – the brand-new #888 Supercheap Auto Chevrolet Camaro will be engineered by Wes McDougall, who worked with Jamie Whincup during the latter’s final full-time season behind the wheel.
Launched this evening in Brisbane, the car will make its on-track debut at a June 1 test at Queensland Raceway.
“In Supercars, I’ve never had a brand-new car to race, so that’s a really cool experience,” said Goddard, whose last solo start came for Matt Stone Racing in 2021.
“Usually, the cars I’ve had in the past have been hand-me-downs from Jamie and Shane (van Gisbergen), but to have a brand-new car is a cool opportunity.
“There’s going to be certain things to learn from a new car once we shake it down, but those are the experiences I’m really looking forward to.
“It’s going to be cool to work with Wes again. I’ve worked with him at past teams, and it’s a bit surreal how it goes full circle and we’re now working together at Triple Eight.
“Knowing the way he works and having that prior knowledge cuts out a lot of the teething phase of growing that relationship – he understands what I like and I understand what he means when he says certain phrases which definitely helps.
“He’s an extremely talented, race-winning engineer who has worked at Triple Eight before and it’s great to see him back in the Supercars paddock.
“Hopefully Craig, Wes and myself can work well together and set up the optimal car every time it goes out on track.”
Lowndes voiced his excitement at the opportunity for Goddard.
“Any laps in these new cars are invaluable, and hopefully he gets more comfortable with the car and the team before enduro season really kicks off later in the year,” said the seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner.
“As I’ve mentioned before, Zane’s a fantastic young kid with great speed and a great head on his shoulders, and his return to the main game is truly deserved.”
Whincup, now managing director and team principal at Triple Eight, praised Supercheap’s commitment to young talent, having previously supported Broc Feeney and Declan Fraser’s ascension into the main game.
“I’m thrilled that Zane will get a standalone event in Darwin for him to get comfortable in these Gen3 cars, and it’s a great opportunity for our engineers and mechanics to gel as a team before an intense enduro season later in the year,” Whincup added.
“I think continuing with another unique combination of youth and experience with Zane and Craig at Sandown and Bathurst will prove to be a competitive pairing.
“With the support and dedication of our 60-plus staff, I can assure you all three Triple Eight cars we take to each of these events will have nothing but equal opportunity to deliver a result.”
The Darwin Triple Crown will unfold on June 16-18.