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Chahda frustrated as he builds Super2 team

By Auto Action

In AUTO ACTION’s latest issue on sale now and available digitally here, Andrew Clarke speaks with recent Bathurst 1000 wildcard Matt Chahda on his struggle to build a Super2 team for 2023.

Fresh from his debut at the Bathurst 1000, Albury driver Matt Chahda said he is a little frustrated as he tries to set up a two-car team to tackle next year’s Super2 championship. Chahda says he is struggling to get access to two cars from the same team, which makes it hard.

“I have access to a car if I want it,” he said. “But I want more than that car.

“I can get one DJR Mustang, but not a second one. Collectors are a big issue for Super2 at the moment. They keep buying these cars to do nothing with them, and it’s annoying.

“It’s also driven up the value of the cars. We should be able to pick cars up for maybe 300 thousand, but collectors are paying 800 grand for cars just to sit them in their sheds. That’s a real problem for Supercars at the moment.

“A lot of people want to race Super2, and then, literally, we can’t get our hands on cars. I want to run a two-car team but can’t get another car. That’s just messed up.”

Matt Chahda impressed as a wildcard debutante at the Bathurst 1000. image: Mark Horsburgh/EDGE Photographics

He said he would run one car if that is all he can do, but he wants a team-mate with the same equipment so they can compare notes and develop the cars. In the meantime, he’ll try to get to the collectors who have bought the cars and hope they are will lease him their car.

“Hopefully, we can find someone who is really into motorsport. We always give them back in pristine condition, so what difference does it really make?”

He also said an issue for the class is the lack of racing time this year, affecting sponsor involvement and causing a drain on drivers who pay for their drives by the round.

“Another annoying thing about Super2 is we’ve done so much Safety Car running this year, and races are getting cut short. To go to Bathurst, which is a round that everyone brings their sponsors to, and I know the weather wasn’t great, but to literally only do two laps for them all weekend is hard.

“It didn’t affect me … well it sort of did because it helped me not suffer too much damage in the points … but that’s not good. Especially when teams are demanding 80 grand to run a kid for a round and then you rock up to that. They’ve already spent the money, so there’s no refund.

“So how do they then take care of the guys who are paying for the drives? It’s a tough situation at the moment.”

Matt Chadha is struggling to find cars to race in Super2 next year.

Tickford Racing’s Tim Edwards denied there is a shortage of cars and that he has cars to sell or lease for next year in addition to the two he will most likely run in the Super2. “If they really want a car, tell them to call me,” Edwards said.

Barry Ryan at Erebus has confirmed he will have two cars for Super2 next season, with at least one being run by Terry Wyhoon’s Image Racing.

Triple Eight is also expected to run a Super2 campaign, most likely for Declan Fraser and another driver, while Walkinshaw Andretti United has not announced yet if it will run cars in the Series.

For more of the latest motorsport news pick up the latest issue of Auto Action.

AUTO ACTION, Australia’s independent voice of motorsport.