Hazelwood set for BJR enduro evaluation

Dunlop Super2 Series front-runner Todd Hazelwood is set to drive a Brad Jones Racing Holden at Winton this weekend as the team works to finalise its Pirtek Enduro Cup line-up.

The 21-year-old South Australian will steer Tim Blanchard’s #21 CoolDrive Commodore during the 30 minute additional driver session on Friday ahead of a possible enduro debut later in the year.

As reported last week, BJR is currently assessing its enduro line-up following team stalwart Andrew Jones’ rough start to the Super2 season.

Macauley Jones, who has driven the team’s #21 entry in each of the last two enduro campaigns, is set to sample Nick Percat’s #8 entry as part of the evaluation.

It will be a big weekend for Macauley, with the son of team owner Brad making his debut in a Virgin Australia Supercars Championship sprint event as a wildcard.

“We’re going to try Macauley in Nick’s car at Winton,” explained Brad Jones of the enduro evaluation plan.

"There is a fair height difference between them but we think we’ve got Macauley fitted in as best as possible.

“Todd Hazelwood is going to join the team for the weekend and drive the Team CoolDrive car with Tim Blanchard.

“For Todd, this is his first time behind the wheel of one of our cars and I’m looking forward to seeing how he performs.

“Our plan is to give both Macauley and Todd some seat time in the different cars and we will assess the dynamics between everyone.

“We’ll confirm the pairings down the track, but this is our chance to give both guys a go and we’ll move forward from there.”

Breaking through for a maiden Super2 win with Matt Stone Racing earlier this year, Hazelwood says he’s eager to sample the BJR Commodore.

"I'm really looking forward to working with the team at BJR and getting behind the wheel of the Team CoolDrive Supercar for the first time Winton this Friday,” said Hazelwood.

“There is a lot of information for myself to absorb during the session.

“For me it will be interesting to discover how the BJR chassis performs and what it is like driving on the softer compound rubber compared to what I am using in the Dunlop Super2 Series.

“I really appreciate the opportunity both Brad Jones Racing and Tim Blanchard have provided."

BJR will have additional drivers in all three cars on Friday at Winton, with Tim Slade's co-driver Ash Walsh also cutting laps in the #14 Freightliner Holden.