Rival Supercars teams are wary of a new Sydney outfit poaching support staff ahead of next season.

Supercars confirmed this week former series champion James Courtney would headline a new two-car, Sydney-based Holden team for 2020.

Rivals are now on high alert as the first top flight Sydney outfit in 15 years looks to build their team around Courtney.

“You never want to lose good people but they are going to have to get people from somewhere so will be raiding teams trying to get people,” leading Holden team Brad Jones Racing’s Brad Jones said.

“I am not overly worried about it but they will be calling trying to get our people.

“It’s pretty late in the year so you’d think they would have a lot of this stuff already sorted out and if they haven’t they are going to find it pretty hard going.”

The new Sydney team will take up a NSW government financial incentive and be based in a temporary facility before a base is constructed at Sydney Motorsport Park in the city’s west from 2021.

Ford heavyweight Tickford Racing team boss Tim Edwards hoped the challenge of moving to a brand new outfit would not appeal to any of his people.

“To go to a completely new team, they are old enough and wise enough to know that it is a big challenge – you are starting with pretty much a clean sheet of paper,” Edwards said.

“Some people might find that enticing but they would be few and far between.”

Courtney confirmed his new team were on the hunt for key personnel.

“It’s all about personnel, getting the right people in the right places, and that will be the key for the remainder of the year,” he said.

Speculation had been rife Sydney-born Courtney would front the outfit after the 2010 champion confirmed in August he would leave Holden heavyweights Walkinshaw Andretti United.

He has had just seven wins in nine seasons there, the last coming back in 2016, while he was last on the podium at the 2018 Gold Coast 600 last October.

“It’s been in the pipeline for a while. It’s exciting. It would be nice to finish off the year here strong ahead of a fresh start next year,” Courtney said.

“It was great to get it out in the open. I won’t have to hide behind walls any more and I can just get on with it.”

Courtney is 14th in the drivers’ championship ahead of this weekend’s Bathurst 1000 where he will co-drive with Jack Perkins.