Robotham hopeful of seat after MSR test

Jaylyn Robotham is hoping his test day evaluation laps with Matt Stone Racing lead to an enduro opportunity.

Robotham, 20, clocked laps aboard Cameron Hill’s #35 Truck Assist Camaro at Queensland Raceway on Thursday.

The Hill co-drive is one of just four seats yet to be confirmed for the 2023 enduros at Sandown and Bathurst.

Robotham hasn’t been confirmed in the #35, but Thursday’s laps are the clearest indication he is in the box seat.

The Victorian made his Bathurst debut last year with Matt Chahda in a wildcard Commodore, and finished on the lead lap in 18th.

Robotham made a Super2 cameo with Matt White Motorsport in Newcastle, and is competing in National Trans Am this year.

Robotham [R] with Hill on Thursday

Last year, Robotham won his first Super2 race at Sydney Motorsport Park.

Having now sampled a Gen3 car, Robotham liked what he saw.

“I’ve been watching these Gen3 Supercars on TV this year but until today I was yet to actually see one up close and it’s pretty cool to drive,” he said.

"It wasn’t a world apart from a Super2 car, it’s just a little bit more loose on the brakes and you can’t really lean on the tyre as much.

"We’re just here to do laps today — thanks to Matt Stone Racing for giving me the opportunity to drive a car today.

“Hopefully that leads somewhere but at this stage we’re just joining MSR for its test day.”

The Hill co-drive is one of four vacancies along with both Nulon Racing seats and the CoolDrive Racing co-drive alongside Todd Hazelwood.

Jayden Ojeda, who will drive with Jack Le Brocq, also got his first laps of an MSR Camaro.

"We spent the day at Queensland Raceway just getting some laps in — it’s obviously still quite early in the season so today is mostly about Jack," Ojeda said.

"It’s good for me to get a feel of what Gen3 is like and to understand better later in the year during enduro season when we’re talking about setup direction.

"With the return of the Sandown 500 there’s a bit of added pressure for us co-drivers because we’ve got to be up-to-speed for two rounds now instead of just one.

"So getting laps earlier in the year and having more sleeps to think about it and prepare is really important."

The Penrite Oil Sandown 500 will open the enduro season on September 15-17, followed by the Repco Bathurst 1000 on October 5-8.