Supercars Australia is on hunt for a new chief, with CEO Shane Howard to take new role

Supercars Australia is on the hunt for a new head, with current CEO Shane Howard set to move into a fresh role, REBECCA WILLIAMS reports.

Supercars is on the hunt for a new chief executive officer with incumbent Shane Howard moving into a new motorsport role with the series as part of a shake-up of its off-track leadership.

In a new organisational structure, Supercars owners RACE announced on Tuesday that Howard would be stepping into the newly created role of Director – Motorsport.

Supercars said the search for a new chief executive was already underway and Howard would transition into his new role after an appointment was made to ensure a “seamless leadership handover”.

Announcing the changes, Supercars said the new structure was being ushered in to help “support the growth of its domestic operations and drive its expansion into international markets”.

CEO of Supercars Australia, Shane Howard will step into a new role.

Howard has worked with Supercars for more than 20 years and previously served as its long-time chief operating officer before taking over the role of CEO in January 2022.

He has since overseen the launch of the category’s new Gen3-era cars; helped secure Toyota’s entry to the grid for 2026 in a major coup for the series and shaped radical new racing formats for 2025.

He has also ushered in a new event in New Zealand at Taupo – where the series will head next – worked with the South Australian government to revive the Adelaide 500 and has also collaborated on plans for a new Perth street circuit.

Supercars and RACE chairman Barclay Nettlefold thanked Howard for his contribution as CEO and said his motorsport expertise would continue to be critical for the category.

“Shane’s contribution to Supercars as CEO has been outstanding, and his expertise will remain invaluable as we continue to grow the sport,” Nettlefold said.

Howard has worked with Supercars for more than 20 years. Picture Mark Brake

In his new role, Supercars said Howard would lead engagement with key motorsport bodies, manufacturers, overseeing Toyota’s integration into the championship in 2026.

He would also support international expansion initiatives and join the board of RACE as a director to provide strategic guidance and expertise on motorsport-related matters.

Howard said he was proud of what he had achieved in his time as CEO, but was looking forward to helping steer the motorsport side of the business in his new role.

“The demands of motorsport continue to grow, requiring an increasing level of focus and strategic direction to ensure the continued success of Supercars,” Howard said.

“After more than three years as CEO, I believe now is the right time to transition into a role that allows me to concentrate on the sporting and technical side of the business, which has always been a great passion of mine.

“I’m extremely proud of what we’ve accomplished in recent years and remain deeply committed to the future of Supercars.”

Originally published as Supercars Australia is on hunt for a new chief, with CEO Shane Howard to take new role