McLEAN EAGER FOR 2021 SUPER2 DRIVE
By Bruce Williams
Date posted: 15 October 2020
Matthew McLean eager for 2021 Super2 drive – Photo: InSyde Media
Super2 rookie Matthew McLean is hoping a good result at Bathurst this weekend will enhance his chances of a full-time drive in the second-tier class for 2021.
By DAN McCARTHY
A multiple Australian karting champion, McLean makes his debut in Super2 this weekend joining Matt Chahda Motorsport in its second Ford Falcon FGX.
A graduate from last year’s Super3 Series, which has spawned the likes of Super2 frontrunners Jayden Ojeda and Broc Feeney, who both will make their Bathurst 1000 debuts this weekend, McLean is using the event to gain miles before an anticipated full-season tilt next year.
“There’s a lot of experience out there, these guys have done a lot more laps than what I have but we want to be out there getting experience before we hop back in for the full season next year,” he said.
“We haven’t confirmed (a deal) with anyone yet.”
An 11-car field enters the third round of Super2 at Bathurst with the majority backing up on Sunday to contest the 1000, a fact not lost on McLean.
“We’re just looking at getting some experience,” McLean told Auto Action. “We aren’t expecting to go out there and light up the timing sheets, obviously we want a good result, but we also want to be realistic.
“Half the field has a Superlicence and half of them are racing in the main game (as co-drivers this weekend) as well.
“I think it is going to be a very big step (into Super2) in terms of competition, everyone is fantastic, there isn’t a driver that isn’t good.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how we are going to be compared to them, I guess how far we are compared to them really.”
It’s been a long wait for McLean to return behind the wheel, the 23-year-old contested three rounds of Super3 with Terry Wyhoon’s Image Racing, including the final round at Sandown in September, which signifies the last time he drove in anger.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” McLean told AA. “The biggest thing is just getting back in the car being out of it for 13 months.”
Earlier this year, he agreed to complete half of the Super2 season with new two-car team Matt Chahda Motorsport, but those plans went awry as racing was forced into a hiatus due to COVID-19.
“The deal has been floating around for quite a while,” he said. “At the start of the season we had agreed to do half of the season with Chadha in sight of getting experience before next year’s full campaign, then with COVID and whatnot it fell through.
“With this being the last event, we really just really wanted to make sure we got some miles in before the end (of the season), and what better place to learn than The Mountain.”
For more of the Supercars motorsport news pick up the current issue of Auto Action. Also make sure you follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or our weekly email newsletter for all the latest updates between issues.
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