Perkins hails 'weekend warrior' BRT efforts
Dunlop Series
10 Jul
Jack Perkins on on his Super2 return in Townsville
Perkins, Blanchard families intertwined through generations
Perkins set to complete double duty at Sandown
Jack Perkins has paid tribute to the Blanchard Racing Team’s big effort to deliver Townsville success, on a weekend the team competed in three categories.
BRT ran five cars across Supercars (James Courtney and Aaron Love), Dunlop Series (Perkins) and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Australia GR Cup (Clay Richards and Harrison Blanchard) last weekend.
In a rebuilt Ford, Perkins was the star, winning the first race of the weekend from pole before bringing home an emotional round victory.
It was a family affair, with Tim Blanchard managing the Super2 squad. Co-Team Principal John Blanchard, Tim's father, joined Perkins on the podium.
The team called on veteran engineer Wally Storey to oversee Perkins’ efforts, which came in a rebuilt Mustang Supercar, and the second-generation racer didn’t disappoint.
“Coming to the championship midway through the season, I definitely didn't expect this,” Perkins said.
“Really big thanks to Blanchard Racing Team for just putting together a really good program.
“We had to get weekend warrior staff and a weekend warrior engineer in Wally Storey and rebuild the car, which was in a million bits sort of six weeks ago.
"I knew it was gonna be pretty good when we rolled out at the test day at Winton, and it was on the pace.
"This weekend couldn't have run any better. I'm really just pleased with how it went. Barely put a mark on the car, so that's always encouraging."
The elder statesman on the grid, Perkins was impressed by the current crop of rising stars in the Dunlop Series, sharing the overall podium with reigning Super2 champion Kai Allen and rookie Max Vidau.
The Townsville cameo came at a great time for BRT enduro co-driver Perkins, who will race against such rising stars at Sandown and Bathurst.
"I mean, you look at last main game race, Cooper Murray qualified fifth on the grid. That's a good benchmark, for the Dunlop Series this year straight away,” Perkins said.
"Kai Allen's a tremendous talent as is Max, and there's plenty of kids capable of these results.
“To just do the job, probably just gives me confidence, gives the team confidence that what they're doing is really good as well. Hopefully, we can keep this rolling.
"The plan is to do the next event and really get us in good shape for Sandown and Bathurst."
Having Blanchard senior on the podium was just as special for Perkins, who has close ties to the family.
John Blanchard Sr. was a mechanic on Perkins’ grandfather Eddie's Round Australia Trial efforts in the 1950s, before Tim and Jack rose through the ranks together.
"I've known the Blanchard family since I was born, basically. John's father, John Sr., was a mechanic on one of [my grandfather’s] rally cars in the 1950s. And then Tim and I have been racing go karts since we were sort of nine or 10 years old.
“We've got great history and what they're doing with their own race team is a credit to them. They're investing heavily in the sport, which is what the sport needs. Really proud to be part of their team."
Perkins will complete double duties at Sandown in September, ahead of a 19th consecutive Great Race start in October.
