The Australian Supercars Championship is facing a firestorm of criticism following the removal of longtime commentators Neil Crompton and Mark Skaife from lead broadcast positions. The shake-up, announced in recent weeks and confirmed by Crompton last week, has drawn the ire of fans, former team owners, and now, V8 Supercars founder Tony Cochrane.
Cochrane, who oversaw the growth of the series from 1996 to 2012, didn’t hold back in an interview with Speedcafe, questioning the motives behind the decision. “Sometimes I sit here and wonder if Supercars are trying to put themselves out of business, or if they’re intentionally trying to upset as many of their remaining fans as they’ve got,” he stated. He expressed bewilderment at the simultaneous removal of both Crompton and Skaife, suggesting a phased approach would have been more sensible. “Even if you wanted to consider a change, surely you’d do it piecemeal by piecemeal,” Cochrane said. “You might do one in the near future and one in a year or two down the track, so you take the fans with you as you exit what have been the voices of V8 Supercars now for an awfully long time.”
The discontent among fans is palpable. A petition supporting Crompton, 65, has already garnered over 23,000 signatures, demonstrating the deep connection he has with the Supercars audience. Crompton himself has been offered a reduced role, a two-event involvement, which Cochrane described as “embarrassing.” He believes both Crompton and Skaife, proud individuals who have dedicated years to the sport, deserve better treatment.
Cochrane’s criticism extends beyond the handling of the commentators themselves. He emphasized the importance of respecting the “champions of the past” and questioned why Supercars would target such established voices. He also dismissed suggestions that Crompton’s involvement with Toyota – specifically, giving the Supra its first Bathurst laps last October – was a legitimate reason for his diminished role, calling such claims “ridiculous” and “rank stupidity.” He pointed to his own experience, stating that during his tenure, individuals who brought positive developments to the sport were celebrated, not sidelined.
The changes come as Supercars aims to refresh its television broadcasts under the leadership of CEO James Warburton. The category acknowledges declining satisfaction among non-core viewers and is undertaking a comprehensive review of all broadcast elements, including a change in production partner. While Cochrane concedes the TV product could be improved, he doesn’t believe removing Crompton and Skaife was the answer.
The situation echoes a similar controversy from six years ago, when Supercars initially moved to axe Mark Larkham, only to reverse course following a fan-led petition. However, indications are that Supercars is not planning a similar reversal in this instance. The category is reportedly close to finalizing a new TV line-up, expected to be revealed before the season-opener at the Sydney 500 on .
Cochrane, now involved with the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games infrastructure board, maintains close relationships with both Crompton and Skaife. He acknowledged that the decision ultimately rests with the commentators – whether to accept the reduced roles offered or pursue other opportunities. He expressed doubt that either man would willingly settle for a part-time position after years of being central figures in the Supercars broadcast.
The unfolding situation raises questions about the direction of Supercars and its relationship with its fanbase. While the category seeks to modernize its broadcast and attract new viewers, the backlash against the treatment of Crompton and Skaife highlights the importance of honoring the sport’s history and respecting its established personalities. The coming weeks will be crucial as Supercars navigates this challenging period and attempts to strike a balance between innovation and tradition.