TODD HAZELWOOD EARNS ENDURO CALL UP

Todd Hazelwood earns Supercars Enduro drive with Brad Jones Racing – Photo: Daniel Kalisz

Todd Hazelwood has earned himself a call up to the Supercars Pirtek Endurance Cup, signing with Brad Jones Racing to partner Tim Blanchard in the Cooldrive Racing entry.

The announcement comes with the confirmation of Brad Jones Racing co-drivers for all three of it entries.

Todd Hazelwood will join Macauley Jones and the previously announced Ash Walsh for Sandown, Bathurst and the Gold Coast. While BJR regular Andrew Jones will sit out the endurance campaign for the first time since 2002.

Hazelwood’s signing comes off the back of a successful test with the team at Winton Raceway, where he jumped behind the wheel of the No. 21 Team Cooldrive Holden Commodore.

“I am very proud and excited to be joining Tim Blanchard and Team CoolDrive in the 2017 Pirtek Endurance Cup. I look forward to the challenge and seeing what Tim and I can achieve together.” said Hazelwood.

“Tim has a great team around him at Brad Jones Racing and after working alongside the crew at Winton I can see myself fitting in really well and getting the most out of myself in the car.”

“Big thank you to Tim Blanchard and Brad Jones Racing for the opportunity. I cannot wait for Sandown in September!”

Macauley Jones steps up to partner Nick Percat – Photo: Daniel Kalisz

After two years endurance experience in the No. 21, Macauley Jones will step up to partner Nick Percat in the No. 8 Commodore this year.

“I’m very excited to be pairing with Nick for the Pirtek Endurance Cup, he’s won Bathurst before and was on the podium again last year which is a really cool achievement.” said Jones.

“I’ve been racing go-karts with Nick over the past couple of months and we’ve been helping each other out a lot. We’re working really well together and I’m eager to see what this new opportunity brings.”

“It’s my third year stepping up as a co-driver and I’ve got the additional bonus of doing a couple of events as a wildcard. I feel my preparation going into this has been my best yet so I can’t wait to get on track for the biggest and best races on the Supercars calendar.”

These announcements complete the Brad Jones Racing driver line up, with Ash Walsh, who currently sits sixth in the Australian GT Championship, locked in to partner Tim Slade in the No. 14 Freightliner Holden Commodore earlier in the year.

Team boss Brad Jones was happy with the new driver line up.

“The new pairings in Nick & Macauley and Tim & Todd will be exciting to watch. Macauley and Todd are doing a brilliant job in the Super2 Series and the new pairings will provide them both with a fresh challenge. I believe they will both rise to the occasion and do a great job, and Nick and Tim agree.”

For a more details in the lead up to the Supercars round up in Townsville, make sure pick up the next issue of Auto Action Magazine. In the mean time make sure you follow Auto Action on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the latest updates.