Jess Dane’s role in Triple Eight’s structure from 2022 will be tailored around supporting Jamie Whincup, as he transitions from driver to team boss.
Triple Eight announced this morning that seven-time champion Whincup will take over from Roland Dane as team principal and managing director of the Supercars powerhouse.
It comes amid a shakeup of the team’s ownership structure that includes businessman and motorsport enthusiast Tony Quinn taking a 40 percent stake.
The daughter of Roland, Jess is the next single biggest shareholder with 30 percent, while Whincup now has 19 percent and Roland retains 11 percent.
ORDER: Official 2021 Repco Supercars Championship Season Guide
END OF AN ERA: Jamie Whincup to retire from full-time Supercars racing
SHAKE-UP: Triple Eight ownership shakeup – Dane steps back, Quinn in
BURNING QUESTIONS: What now after Triple Eight’s bombshells?
Jess has fulfilled a number of different roles at Triple Eight over time and since the start of 2017 has led the team’s commercial operations, currently balancing that with a law degree.
She has been widely touted as a key part of the team’s future since becoming a minor stakeholder in 2015.
Asked of her role in the wake of today’s announcements, Jess said: “That’s something for Jamie and me to work out exactly what that looks like.
“We do have a kind of broad plan of what that role specifically looks like, but essentially I’m here to help Jamie do the very best job he can as managing director and team principal.
“Whatever that looks like, whatever he needs me to do to best support him to get the best results out of the team, that’s absolutely what I will be doing.
“Hopefully in a year’s time I will have a law degree under my belt as well, so whatever that role looks like it will involve trying to keep Triple Eight out of any legal issues as well!”
Roland will continue to lead the team throughout 2021 before stepping back into a part- time advisory role.
It marks a massive shift for the sport as Dane has ruled Triple Eight with an iron fist since joining the championship in 2003, leading it to unprecedented success.
Dane is a polarising character due to his forthright management style and public persona, which is outwardly different to Whincup’s more diplomatic character.
Asked if we’ll see a different Whincup when he does take over the leadership role, Whincup suggested he’ll need to step up where necessary.
“I’m me and I’m going to work hard on making sure I’ve got good relationships with Supercars; Sean [Seamer, CEO], John Casey, the likes,” he said.
“Roland and I have a different management style but RD doesn’t get on the radio or the phone or the TV and express his opinion for no reason.
“Sometimes it’s absolutely necessary and for sure I’ll have to fulfill that role without doubt, if something needs to be done it needs to be done.
“I’ll be there in those times, but I’ll be managing the situation the way I believe is best.”
Whincup, who is keen to extend his position as a Supercars Commission member beyond its current October expiry, is yet to decide whether he’ll take on co-driving duties in 2022.
