The Erebus Academy has announced that Reef McCarthy will return to Bathurst, with the 18-year-old making his Super2 debut with Image Racing for next month’s Bathurst 1000 support events.
With Jaylyn Robotham now fully focusing on his Bathurst 1000 ‘Wildcard’ drive alongside Matt Chahda, McCarthy will take over the #999 Image Racing VF Commodore.
For McCarthy it will be a return to Image Racing following a season of Super3 with the Korumburra based team.
Image Racing Team owner Terry Wyhoon was full of praise for McCarthy following his Super3 stint with the team in 2021.
“Reef drove for us last year in Super3 last year in our FG Falcon and did a good solid job.
“It’s great to see Reef stepping up into the Super2 field. He’s a great kid, he’s really passionate about his racing, so I’m happy to see him back.
“The last time he raced at Bathurst was in our Super3 Falcon and he won the final race, so I’m looking forward to seeing how he will go this time around and I have no doubt he’ll give it all he’s got.” Wyhoon confirmed.
Reef McCarthy sets sights on Super2 with Image Racing
After a successful run throughout last year’s Super3 season which resulted in four podium finishes and a win at the Bathurst 1000 event, McCarthy is looking forward to making the step forward and spoke to AUTO ACTION today.
“I’m really stoked, although it’s a last-minute deal it’s all come together and I’m excited to be back with Terry, Dana and the team, I like working with them and I know the guys, so it’s great to be back.
“We have been trying to put together a deal to run Super2 with Image Racing for a while and when this opportunity came up and we went for it.
“I’m going into Bathurst without too many expectations on myself, but I want to be positive about the move up.
“The Super2 field is a strong category and I’m looking forward to testing my skills amongst some of the best up and coming drivers.
“To have a great group of people behind me that will do whatever they can to get me out on track and give me the best car that they can is really fantastic of them.” McCarthy said.
Although McCarthy has not raced in the Super2 car for nearly 12 months he has kept his eye in with regular appearances in the Victorian Formula Vee Championship.
Young Gun: Reef McCarthy
After a solid year, he sits 2nd in the standings, with eight podium finishes and six race wins this season.
McCarthy will jump in the driver’s seat for a test day with the team at Winton, September 28 and feels he has what it takes to move to Super2 competition.
“I’ll have to see how my test at Winton goes first, not really too sure what to expect as I’ve never raced to many of the other competitors before.
“It’s been a while since I’ve raced a Supercar and I still have a lot to work on, but I really hope I can get my consistency up and hopefully put together a full weekend without any dramas.”
“The closest thing to a Super2 I’ve driven is the Erebus Mercadore. It was great to get a few laps in and brush out the cobwebs and I think I’m really going to enjoy adapting to the VF Commodore.
“Supercars is definitely the ultimate goal for myself and any way that I can get myself amongst the category is great. I’m doing everything I can to continue moving forward.” He concluded.
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