Fiore secures Townsville Super2 cameo

Dean Fiore will return to the Dunlop Series at the NTI Townsville 500 with AIM Motorsport, substituting for Jett Johnson.

Fiore, 40, will steer the AIM Mustang vacated by Johnson, who will sit out Townsville to focus on his health.

The veteran racer will use Townsville as valuable track time ahead of the enduros, with the West Aussie revealing he is set to drive at Sandown and Bathurst.

Fiore, who raced with Brad Jones Racing between 2021 and 2023, is expected to return with the team this year. The Bryce Fullwood/Fiore pairing was BJR's best at Bathurst in 2022 (ninth) and 2023 (seventh).

“I'm excited to be back on the Super2 grid in Townsville and it is great to join AIM Motorsport,” Fiore said.

"They are a highly credential team and I love racing in Townsville.

“It's a great opportunity for some extra mileage ahead of the enduro season, plus Townsville is an awesome place to visit and soak up some warm weather this time of year.”

Should Fiore land at BJR, he will race with rookie Jaxon Evans, with the team already confirming its Andre Heimgartner/Declan Fraser, Fullwood/Jaylyn Robotham and Macauley Jones/Jordan Boys pairings.

In more news for AIM, Zane Morse will make his long-awaited return after missing Round 2 in Perth due to a broken wrist.

AIM team owner Andre Morse said, “We are excited to welcome Dean Fiore to AIM Motorsport. He'll step into the ex-Cam Waters Mustang in place of Jett Johnson.

“Dean has a wealth of experience in both Supercars and Super2, and I'm sure he'll be running at the pointy end of the field. Also great to have Zane return to racing after injury.”