Tim Slade’s future in V8 Supercar racing was shored up at this week’s V8 Supercar board meeting, with his long-time backer James Rosenberg purchasing Paul Cruickshank’s Racing Entitlements Contract.

Slade will use the REC to enter next year’s V8 Supercar Championship Series at Stone Brothers Racing as the team’s third car, pending a deal being finalised.

While the 24-year old could not talk about the team he is negotiating to drive with next year, he was pleased to know that he will be in the game.

“It’s reassuring, that something’s going to be there,” he said.

“Nothing’s confirmed, but James wouldn’t have gone into it with things up in the air. It’s a big investment, and there are some pretty good plans in place, but we’ll sit down next week and hopefully finalise all of that and let it come out on the wash.

“We’ll wait until James gets back from overseas next week and start working pretty seriously towards next year.”

Slade’s backer Rosenberg, currently in Macau at the F3 Grand Prix, owns the Commodore VE that Slade drives at Paul Morris Motorsport. Now as a REC owner, Rosenberg’s investment in V8 racing is significantly greater.

“James loves the sport, loves being involved, and slowly, he’s built up his investment in the sport year after year,” Slade said.

“He’s been involved with me owning cars, and the reason why he’s acquired the licence (REC) was from an investment point of view.”

Rosenberg is likely to sell or lease the current #67 Supercheap Auto Holden Commodore that Slade has campaigned in this year’s V8 Supercar Championship Series.