From a broken partnership to a Chevrolet powerhouse
In short: The story of Team 18 is a masterclass in navigating the volatile politics of motorsport. Born from a fractured business split and years of struggling as a satellite entry, the team eventually secured its own identity, evolving into a primary homologation partner for Chevrolet.
The team's origins are rooted in a 2010 breakdown between Gold Coast businessman Charlie Schwerkolt and Dick Johnson. While the split occurred the same year James Courtney won the championship for Dick Johnson Racing, Schwerkolt retained one Racing Entitlement Contract (REC). This sparked a period of strategic maneuvering; after a failed deal to run a fourth car with Courtney, Schwerkolt was forced by rules to either sell, lease, or use his REC. Beginning in 2013, he opted to run a customer car with full backing as a satellite for Ford Performance Racing.
The path to independence was arduous. The team shifted from a Ford satellite to a Holden Racing Team satellite in 2015 before finally becoming an independent entity in 2016. This era was defined by significant challenges, including a major accident by driver Lee Holdsworth in Darwin that sidelined him for three rounds. The team struggled for results, finishing as low as 21st in the 2018 championship due to reliability issues and midfield finishes.
A turning point arrived in 2019 with the acquisition of 2015 champion Mark Winterbottom and a rebranding with Irwin Industrial Tools. This move, alongside an upgraded relationship with Triple Eight Race Engineering, yielded immediate results, including the team's first pole position. The team's status reached a new peak in 2026, when it became the homologation team for Chevrolet following Triple Eight's move to Ford. This transition solidified Team 18 as a cornerstone of the Gen3 era, culminating in 2025's first podium at the Bathurst 1000.
Today, the team operates with a dual-driver lineup of Anton De Pasquale and David Reynolds. It also manages the Supercheap Auto wildcard program, a role it inherited from Triple Eight in 2021. The team's evolution highlights the importance of strategic partnerships and the necessity of securing independent status in a highly regulated racing landscape.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Team 18
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/places-team-18.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Cities · More in Countries & Cities · Latest · A–Z · All topics
