Tander signs for Grove Racing

Garth Tander has completed a shock switch to Grove Racing for the 2023 endurance events, departing Triple Eight Race Engineering and ending a long association with General Motors.

Tander will race a Ford for the first time in Supercars in 2023, after racing Holden Commodores exclusively. Former Triple Eight Race Engineering engineers David Cauchi and Grant McPherson are now at Grove Racing, with Cauchi the Ford team’s principal and McPherson leading the engineering and Gen3 development. McPherson engineered Tander and Shane van Gisbergen to Bathurst victory in 2020.

Tander has been a co-driver since 2019, winning Bathurst with van Gisbergen in 2020 and 2022.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to work in some great race teams in Supercars. What I have seen Stephen and Brenton Grove achieve in a very short time frame is seriously impressive,” said Tander.

“When they asked me to be part of what they are building for the future, not only as a driver, but also to help mentor Matt Payne, who has already proven to be an immense talent and also help guide the Grove Junior Team it was something that grabbed my attention.

“I have worked closely with many within the team in the past, having worked with Alistair McVean, David Cauchi and Grant McPherson already, as well as a team mate to Dave Reynolds way back when he was a little tacker. Something big is being built here and I am honoured to be part of it.

“With the imminent arrival of Gen3 coming in 2023, I am excited to get started and help the team wherever I can.

“I would also like to thank everyone at Triple Eight Race Engineering for the last four years. To have the opportunity to win Bathurst in 2020 and 2022, with SVG, added another chapter to my career and that’s something I am very grateful for.”

Grove Racing will field David Reynolds and rookie Matt Payne as its main drivers in 2023, not yet confirming who Tander will partner.

“We identified the need for an experienced driver to work hand in hand with Matt in his first year,” said Grove Racing team owner Stephen Grove.

“Garth was the obvious choice given his proven race winning pedigree and experience in developing race winning cars and teams.

“On top of that, we understood the need to bring a calculated driver into the fold to assist with the development of Gen3 in the early stages of the season, as well as the opportunity to take the best possible driving line up into Bathurst.

Grove Racing team principal Cauchi added: “To have an individual of his calibre elect to partner with us is a testament to the work the team have done over the past year and exemplifies the progress we have made.

“Garth’s a terrific guy who I have had the pleasure of working with previously and his knowledge and experience will be invaluable to the team.”