Russell scores enduro return with MSR

After a year on the sidelines, David Russell will return to the PIRTEK Enduro Cup in 2020, driving alongside Garry Jacobson at Matt Stone Racing.

Russell has 35 Supercars race starts to his name, including 10 Bathurst 1000s, but missed out on a drive in 2019 amid a reshuffle at Tickford Racing.

The 37-year-old linked with MSR for this year’s Bathurst 12 Hour and Dunlop Super2 Series round at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, paving the way for a co-drive.

He’ll join Jacobson in the team’s #35 Commodore, while Zane Goddard and Jake Kostecki will share the #34 entry during the season under the ‘SuperLite’ banner, teaming up for the enduros.

MSR will be Russell’s fifth Supercars enduro home, having debuted with Fernandez Racing in 2003, before a year at Tekno Autosports in 2010, seven with Kelly Racing and one at Tickford.

"I’m really excited to be back in the main game next year and it's great to be with MSR after doing both Super2 and the 12 Hour at Bathurst with the team in 2019,” said Russell.

"It should be a strong year for us. I have a few strategic rounds of Porsche Carrera Cup planned to keep my race miles up but won't be doubling up at Bathurst so I can focus 100 percent on my Supercar program.

"There is great momentum at MSR and you can feel it when you walk in the door. The team is in such a building phase right now and for me, it’s great to be involved.

“I'm looking forward to teaming up with Garry and contributing to the team's development."

Team owner Stone stressed the importance of Russell’s experience in the squad’s youthful line-up, and the benefits of locking his full driver roster in early.

“Signing David Russell is a significant step up for MSR. Investing in an experienced talent like David will help lift our entire squad for 2020,” he said.

“Having both our driver pairings available for the 2020 pre-season test at The Bend will ensure our newly expanded team has the opportunity to mesh and start working on finetuning strategies for the season ahead.”

Next year’s PIRTEK Enduro Cup will kick-off with The Bend OTR 500 on September 18-20, before the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 on October 8-11 and Vodafone Gold Coast 600 on October 30-November 1.