Revitalised Hazelwood keen for competitive full-time opportunity
Todd Hazelwood left Blanchard team after difficult 2023 season
2017 Super2 champion impressed in substitute role to start 2024
Hazelwood currently leads Trans Am Series in competitive field
Erebus Motorsport co-driver Todd Hazelwood has left the door open to a full-time return to Supercars, but only if the right opportunity presents itself.
Hazelwood did a solid job filling in for Brodie Kostecki at the start of the season, recording three top 10 finishes and sitting 11th in the standings before the reigning champion returned in New Zealand.
Hazelwood has since been confirmed to form the second half of a strong enduro partnership with Kostecki, and has been keeping sharp in the Trans Am Series.
Following his performances at the start of the season, Hazelwood has been viewed by some as an option to join Erebus full-time next season, but the 2017 Super2 champion has downplayed his chances.
“I think there’s already a lot of things that are already happening as we’ve already seen in the past couple of weeks,” Hazelwood told SEN’s The Driver’s Seat.
“There’s already one domino that’s already fallen, and I think probably the next couple aren’t far away, so we’ll see what happens.
“It’s not down and out from my point of view to get back into Supercars.”
The South Australian has had a largely frustrating Supercars career to date, with only a single career podium and pole position to his name from 2020 with Brad Jones Racing.
The 28-year-old knows that time is running out to secure a top drive befitting of a Super2 champion, but also won’t sign unless it’s a competitive prospect.
“To be honest, I’m probably not going to try and sign something that’s just going to give me pure frustration," Hazelwood said.
"I’ve been there, done that, and now I’m getting to a point in my career where I’ve got to be a bit smarter.
“Looking back at what I did the past couple of years, you just sign yourself up for punishment. For me as an individual, where I want to win and I want to be successful, it’s incredibly absorbing both physically and mentally.”
Alongside his enduro commitments with Erebus, Hazelwood is currently leading the Trans Am Series in his first season, in a competitive field featuring several familiar faces in Supercars circles.
PremiAir Racing stars James Golding and Tim Slade, as well as long-time endurance co-drivers James Moffat and Jordan Boys all feature in the series, as does BJR Super2 driver Elliott Cleary.
Stepping into the Trans Am Series has reinvigorated Hazelwood, who has revelled in the opportunity to help build his team into a competitive force against former Supercars stalwarts Garry Rogers Motorsport.
“I’ve really enjoyed the challenge this year of doing something different, and I guess removing myself from living and breathing the Supercars industry, that’s everything I’ve known the past 10 to 12 years," he said.
“I was really fortunate to have the opportunity working with Brett Thomas and his team at TFH, and Brett said, 'We want to build up a brand new race team, do you want to help us out?'
“I just thought what a cool opportunity, something completely left field, wasn’t expected, and I knew it was something where I could really sink my teeth into it and actually feel like I can make a difference.
“I feel like we’ve already achieved a lot, a lot more than we expected to be fair. The fact we’re leading the Trans Am Series in our first year speaks volumes to the workload and commitment of the team, but also taking confidence that I can still do the job.”
Kostecki and Hazelwood’s enduro campaign will kick off at the Penrite Oil Sandown 500 on September 13-15, before the Repco Bathurst 1000 from October 10-13.
The final sprint event of the 2024 Supercars season takes place this weekend at the NED Whisky Tasmania SuperSprint.
