Neil Crompton, a familiar voice in Australian motorsport, is embarking on a new chapter after stepping away from his long-held television commentary role. The seasoned commentator is now lending his expertise to Brad Jones Racing (BJR) as a consultant, coinciding with Toyota’s highly anticipated return to the Supercars Championship at the Sydney Motorsport Park this weekend.
Crompton’s departure from the broadcast booth was part of a wider shake-up that also saw Mark Skaife removed from the commentary team, as reported in January. Though, Crompton remains deeply involved in the sport, overseeing the management of the GR Cup season opener – a series his business has long managed – and now taking on a hands-on role with BJR.
The move represents a return to team involvement for Crompton, who previously held similar positions earlier in his career. “It’s good. It’s a restoration of something that I did a couple of moons back,” Crompton said, as quoted by Speedcafe. “It’s different and it’s exciting. We’re old friends, you realize, we started racing together a long time ago on dirt bikes, and we’ve been in parallel for a long period of time.”
Crompton’s role at BJR is multifaceted, encompassing a broader business strategy review while also providing support wherever needed. He jokingly described the hands-on nature of his return, stating, “Last night at one o’clock in the morning I’m washing driver race suits and jocks, so things have gone downhill!”
A long-time Toyota ambassador – a role he’s held for 18 years – Crompton has been instrumental in facilitating the manufacturer’s entry into Supercars. He will be present in both the BJR and Walkinshaw TWG garages this weekend as both teams debut their new Toyota Supras. “This is the third time lucky. This conversation’s arrive up a couple of times,” Crompton explained, reflecting on the years of effort to bring Toyota to the Supercars grid.
Toyota’s Supercars Entry: A Long-Awaited Arrival
Crompton recounted a recent discovery of a document from 10 to 15 years ago outlining Toyota’s initial considerations for Supercars, highlighting the persistence required to make the project a reality. The Toyota V8 engine program, he noted, proved to be “more complex” than initially anticipated.
Toyota’s Supercars program expands its Australian motorsport presence, complementing its existing commitments to the GR Cup and the Australian Rally Championship (ARC). Crompton emphasized the synergy between these initiatives, stating, “It’s hugely satisfying linking ARC and what Neal, Harry, and Lewis [Bates] have done so successfully for so long, so proudly for Toyota, together with GR Cup.” He estimates that between 10 and 11 drivers currently competing in Supercars have progressed through the GR Cup series.
Developing a Driver Pathway
Crompton believes this grassroots development pathway is a significant investment in Australian motorsport, potentially “the single biggest investment in motorsport by an OEM.” He credited former Toyota marketing VP Sean Hanley with championing the idea of nurturing young talent and preventing them from being recruited by rival manufacturers. Hanley, who spearheaded Toyota’s V8 entry before departing his role at the start of 2026, is also present at Sydney Motorsport Park to witness the debut.
“One of the things that aggravated Sean was effectively training drivers and handing high quality operators off to other OEMs,” Crompton said. “Well, we’re gonna put a stop to that!”
As the Supercars Championship enters a new era with the introduction of Toyota, Crompton’s multifaceted role signifies a continued commitment to the sport’s growth and development. His experience, both in the broadcast booth and now within a team environment, positions him as a key figure in shaping the future of Australian motorsport.
The Sydney Motorsport Park event marks not only Toyota’s debut but also a new phase in Crompton’s career, blending his passion for racing with a strategic role aimed at fostering long-term success for both the manufacturer and the sport as a whole. The focus now shifts to the on-track performance of the BJR and Walkinshaw TWG Supras and the unfolding of Toyota’s ambitious Supercars program.
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