V8Supercars appoint new technical and sporting director

David Stuart, current team and engineering manager of the Erebus Motorsport team, has been announced as V8 Supercars new technical and sporting director. Photo / Edge Photographics

V8 Supercars will appoint experienced team manager David Stuart to their newly created technical and sporting director position.

Stuart, who has been involved with V8s since 2000 and is currently the team and engineering manager of the Erebus Motorsport team, will take over the position following this month's event in Darwin.

Stuart's appointment coincides with a re-profiling of the role of V8 Supercars general manager Damien White, who will now take over as the championship's director of sport, operations and sanctioned events.

The adjustment will allow White to work more closely with chief operating officer Shane Howard in the management of the championship and operation of events.

Stuart, an experienced engineer, will largely be required to provide expertise in the future technical direction of V8 Supercars.

"David has an exceptionally high level of technical, engineering, sporting and management skills that directly translate to this role," White said.

"Critically, he has performed a lead role in the introduction to V8 Supercars of a new brand through Erebus Motorsport which gives him an in-depth understanding of the complexities of the new generation race car.

"As an engineer and team manager David has an acute understanding of the sporting and technical regulations along with an engineering knowledge to successfully act as the conduit between the teams and V8 Supercars."

Stuart's departure has forced a reshuffle within Erebus, with engineering chief Wes McDougall and crew chief Ben Croke set to fill the void along with general manager Ross Stone.

McDougall and Croke were both on the teams of Marcos Ambrose and James Courtney when those drivers won V8 championships.

"Our focus from day one has been to set ourselves up with structure and planning, and we are confident that Wes and Ben have the experience and skills necessary to assume even greater responsibility than they already have," Erebus chief executive Ryan Maddison said.

"Whilst it's our loss, it's pleasing to know that V8 Supercars are putting on the best of the best on behalf of the category and we fully support David's decision to move on."

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-AAP