PREMIAIR Racing has gone public with exactly why it jumped at the chance to re-sign Dylan O’Keeffe to co-drive with James Golding.
By the Sydney Motorsport Park pre-season test, PremiAir had confirmed O’Keeffe would be in its #31 Nulon Camaro for the Sandown 500 and Repco Bathurst 1000.
The focus has ever since switched to whether or not open-wheel ace Joey Mawson will be allowed to join forces with Tim Slade in the sister car.
While an official answer draws closer on the front, PremiAir team principal Matt Cook has taken the opportunity to explain O’Keeffe’s renewal.
“This has been far from a rushed discussion, but at the same time, Dylan went above and beyond for us last year and the team were very happy with him while he also has a very good relationship with Jimmy, so it is a very natural fit and something of a no-brainer,” said Cook.
“Dylan was with our team at the pre-season test at Sydney Motorsport Park at the beginning of the year and then again at our recent Queensland Raceway test day, with plenty of seat time at both.
“He was also at our opening round at Newcastle, at which he got a good feel for the 2023 team dynamic.
“We are confident he will be able to hit the ground running with us in Sandown for the start of the enduro season, and I can’t wait to see what he and Jimmy can achieve together in the #31.”
O’Keeffe noted continuity will be welcome from him, having bounced around in the past between Bathurst 1000 pairings with Kelly Racing’s Andre Heimgartner in 2020, Team Sydney’s Garry Jacobson in 2021, and PremiAir/Golding last year.
Golding meanwhile added: “I have known Dylan for some time now, which dates back to our days racing and working alongside each other at Garry Rogers Motorsport.
“To share the car with Dylan for the first time at Bathurst last year was very enjoyable and we worked well together.
“He did a faultless job last year at the 1000, so to have him onboard again racing for not only Bathurst but also the Sandown 500, to kick off our enduro campaign will be awesome.
“Having Sandown back on the calendar ahead of the 1000 is much better. I have some good memories from that circuit and it’s one both Dylan and I have been successful at in the past.
“Bathurst is no different in terms of previous performances so I think both together will bring some great results for the team.”
PremiAIr had two Super2 drivers in its garage in Darwin – Matt Chahda and Zane Morse – but Mawson is expected to get the nod alongside Slade.
