Vaughan’s ‘pinch me moment’ ahead of Supercars debut

Tickford Super2 rising star Brad Vaughan is set to make his Supercars debut at the Penrite Oil Sandown 500 with fellow Super2 driver Matt Chahda.

Matt Chahda Motorsport are set to embark on their first full enduro campaign across the upcoming endurance races at Sandown and Bathurst, with their only Supercars appearance to date coming at the 2022 Bathurst 1000.

The team impressed in their first Bathurst start in 2022, with Chahda and Jaylyn Robotham combining in a ZB Commodore to finish on the lead lap in 18th.

Chahda is back for his second taste of Supercars endurance racing, and remains in a GM product, this time the ex-Triple Eight Camaro that won at Sandown last year in the hands of Broc Feeney and Jamie Whincup.

Vaughan will be one of four current Super2 drivers who will make their debuts at the Sandown 500, alongside Aaron Cameron (Blanchard #3), Cameron McLeod (PremiAir #23), and Cameron Crick (MSR #4).

A further three Super2 drivers will be in the field at the enduros as well, namely Chahda, Cooper Murray (Triple Eight #888), and reigning champion Kai Allen (DJR #17).

Vaughan, from the Barossa Valley, is excited to prove himself in the main game, having claimed the Super3 crown in 2022, and picking up three pole positions in Super2 since debuting last year.

"Matt and the Chahdas, they're obviously good people and they want to give young blokes a crack,” Vaughan told Supercars.com.

“It’s cool to get an opportunity so soon. Last year was always a building year and then this year is the year you go for the championship.”

The deal for Vaughan to drive with Chahda was announced at the commencement of the Townsville weekend, however getting caught up in an opening lap melee on Saturday saw the 20-year-old slip to 13th in the Super2 standings.

However, Vaughan says that he feels like the MCM wildcard is the perfect opportunity for him to branch out from the Tickford stable and showcase his talents without the added pressure of being in a front running team.

“The Chahdas wanted a Super2 driver in there, somebody that hasn’t had a chance. A wildcard is a good way to start, as there’s a little bit lower pressure because you're not in a championship car.”

“It’s not like I'm driving with Cam Waters and he's got the pressure of his own championship. So, it’s perfect timing, and a great chance for me.”

Preparations for the wildcard have begun to ramp up for the family team based out of Albury, having now received their chassis in recent weeks, and also confirming they will have technical support from Triple Eight.

Chahda and Vaughan have their first test day in the Camaro tomorrow at Winton, a day which Vaughan has been looking forward to ever since the deal was announced.

“It's pretty cool, it’s a bit of a ‘pinch-me’ moment. We’ve got two test days before Sandown and Bathurst. All the ingredients are nearly there, it's a Triple Eight car, and there’ll be some level of help from Triple Eight.

“We’ll be racing in the same car that won the Sandown 500 last year, which is cool."

Vaughan finds himself in the somewhat unusual position of being a Tickford driver in a Triple Eight car, however he has still been leaning on Tickford’s Supercars aces in Cam Waters and Thomas Randle in the lead-up to his debut.

"Cam and Thomas are a huge help, Thomas particularly with the simulator stuff. Cam’s helped me out a bit too. 

"It's just better having more data, more teammates, more feedback. I didn't really have that last year, so it all definitely helps.”

The 2024 Repco Supercars Championship shifts into enduro mode at the Penrite Oil Sandown 500 from September 13-15. Tickets for the 60th anniversary event are available here.