Enduro wildcard key step in BRT expansion

Running an enduro wildcard is a “key step” for the Blanchard Racing Team as it aims to run two full-time entries, says team co-owner Tim Blanchard.

BRT announced this week that it will run a second Ford Mustang at this year’s Penrite Oil Sandown 500 and Repco Bathurst 1000.

The team will run its Super2 driver Aaron Love alongside Jake Kostecki, who returns to the Supercars fold after leaving Tickford Racing in the off-season.

BRT — which debuted as a single-car operation in the main game in 2021 — moved into Super2 this year, with the team keeping one eye on Supercars expansion.

Blanchard has clear intention to run a two-car team in the main game, with Todd Hazelwood currently racing BRT’s #3 CoolDrive Mustang in Supercars.

The enduros will give BRT a great chance to gauge what it takes to compete as a two-car squad, highlighted by both BRT Fords sharing a pit boom.

The team is currently building its second Gen3 chassis — labelled BRT002 — which will be shaken down the week after the OTR SuperSprint earlier this month.

For Blanchard, the process is yet another stepping stone for BRT, which is a core part of the family-run CoolDrive business.

“We are excited to give Aaron his first opportunity in the main series and welcome Jake to BRT,” said Blanchard, who will join Hazelwood for the enduros.

"Both are young guys wanting to make an impression and we are keen to support young drivers by giving them the opportunity.

“Expectations are realistic but Aaron has done a great job so far this year and Jake is experienced enough to know what to do, so they could surprise a few people.

“The wildcard program is another key step in the expansion of BRT. The resources in preparing a second car is not small but that’s why we are keen to utilise this program to develop the team.

“For myself, I am looking forward to joining Todd and experiencing the Gen3 car. We have driven together before and obviously worked together this year so it should be a fairly simple process which will hopefully work to our advantage.”

BRT’s next challenge is the OTR SuperSprint on August 18-20, with Hazelwood 20th in the drivers’ standings.