Tander ‘sleeping comfortably’ over 2017 plans
Garth Tander has hinted that he has a new full-time Supercars deal all but completed, saying that he will “go to sleep pretty comfortably” despite having nothing in concrete for next season.
Garth Tander, Holden Racing Team
Dirk Klynsmith
The West Australian capped off his Holden Racing Team career with a fine drive on Sunday in Sydney, taking his first pole position in four years and fighting Shane van Gisbergen all the way to the end of the race on his way to second.
He is technically still on the hunt for a drive for the new season, confirming on Sunday evening that he has no contract in place, but hinting that a full-time drive in a front-running car is on the cards.
“At this stage yes, but I go to sleep pretty comfortably tonight,” said Tander when asked if he was still without a concrete deal.
“I expect that if we can put the deal together that I am working on it will put me in a very strong car and we will be winning races and have another crack at the championship.”
That can effectively only be a move back to Garry Rogers Motorsport, with the rest of the grid already locked in. The only unconfirmed seats are now Scott McLaughlin’s spot at GRM – a front-running seat, particularly if the team continues with its Volvo package – or the two spots at minnow team LD Motorsport, should it continue as a two-car operation.
Another option for Tander would be running his own team – potentially using LDM Racing Entitlements Contracts, or a plum endurance drive with the likes of Triple Eight, although the latter would obviously not give him a crack at adding a second title to his 2007 success.
GRM is not expected to make any firm plans until its legal squabble with Volvo over the continued use of the S60 package is resolved, with mediation set to take place on December 13.
Confirmed Supercars drivers for 2017
Triple Eight
Shane van Gisbergen
Jamie Whincup
Craig Lowndes
Prodrive Racing Australia/Rod Nash Racing/Britek
Mark Winterbottom
Cam Waters
Chaz Mostert
Jason Bright
DJR Team Penske
Scott McLaughlin
Fabian Coulthard
Garry Rogers Motorsport
James Moffat
Walkinshaw Racing
James Courtney
Scott Pye
Nissan Motorsport
Rick Kelly
Todd Kelly
Michael Caruso
Simona de Silvestro
Brad Jones Racing/Tim Blanchard Racing
Tim Slade
Nick Percat
Tim Blanchard
Tekno
Will Davison
Team 18
Lee Holdsworth
Erebus Motorsport
David Reynolds
Dale Wood
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