Roland Dane ends his official involvement with Supercars juggernaut Triple Eight

The Dane family’s official involvement with Supercars powerhouse Triple Eight has come to an end with Roland Dane stepping down from his key off-track role.

Roland Dane’s last link to the Supercars powerhouse he founded is coming to an end after he announced he was stepping down from his role as non-executive chairman of Triple Eight at the end of the year.

The month after Triple Eight swept the 2024 Supercars drivers’ and teams’ championships, Dane announced in an open letter on Monday he felt the time was right to stand down from the position.

Dane has served as non-executive chairman of the team since the start of 2022 when he handed over the twin roles of managing director and team principal to seven-time Supercars champion and Triple Eight co-owner Jamie Whincup.

He sold off his last remaining Triple Eight shares in late 2021, while his daughter, Jessica Dane, sold off her 30 per cent stake in the team this year to businessmen Earl Evans and Steve Blackmore after her move to the United States.

Dane said it had been an “honour and a privilege” to be a part of the Triple Eight team and he was proud of its success.

“As I stepped aside from the role of managing director and team principal, I agreed with the shareholders of Triple Eight that I would carry on as non-executive chairman of the company for at least 12 months,” Dane wrote.

Roland Dane with Shane van Gisbergen. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“Now, three years later, I feel that it is time for me to move on from this truly incredible chapter in my life and stand down from that position at the end of the year.

“Over the last two decades, Triple Eight Race Engineering has established itself as the best and most successful professional racing team in Australian motorsport history.

“That’s for one reason, and one reason alone; specifically, the unbelievable group of high-calibre folks who have worked for, and with, T8 during those 20-plus years.

“Top-performing sports teams are built on a blend of culture, passion and single-minded drive. Triple Eight remains the epitome of that today and I am truly as proud of the business now as I have ever been.

“I therefore thank, from the bottom of my heart, all those who have worked alongside me over the years and helped create the biggest shelf of trophies the sport has ever seen in this country.”

Roland Dane congratulates Jamie Whincup at Pukekohe Park Raceway in 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

Since its entry into the Supercars category full-time in 2004, Triple Eight has won 11 drivers’ championships, 12 teams’ titles and 10 Bathurst 1000 crowns.

Among those he singled out for thanks, Dane paid tribute to seven-time Bathurst 1000 champion Craig Lowndes for helping turn Triple Eight into a “juggernaut”.

“And a certain Craig Lowndes who believed my highly effective … used-car dealer spiel back in 2004 and has remained loyal to the team ever since,” Dane said.

“Without CL, it would have been a hell of a lot harder to create the juggernaut that is T8 today. Our first race winner and a Bathurst superstar.”

Roland Dane daps up Supercars legend Craig Lowndes. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

Dane said his final act in the role had been to endorse as chairman the election of Rex Devantier, who has had a long association with co-owner Tony Quinn.

“I leave the team in great hands,’’ he said. “The shareholder group is the best in pit lane and more than capable of giving Jamie and the team the support required behind the scenes.”

Whincup has a 30 per cent ownership in the team, while businessman Quinn holds the remaining 40 per cent share.

Originally published as Roland Dane ends his official involvement with Supercars juggernaut Triple Eight