Eye on the future

After sampling a Supercar earlier this week, Formula 4 driver Jack Smith is considering a move into the Dunlop Series next year.

The young gun impressed Paul Morris, who he struck up a relationship with this year, and said competing in the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 was a dream of his.

At just seventeen - and working towards high school graduation - Smith is weighing up whether to race in the local touring car category or make a move overseas for the 2017 season.  

He adjusted quickly to the Ford Falcon FG at Queensland Raceway – the chassis Renee Gracie runs in the Dunlop Series – and while it was more challenging to drive than his MARC car, found he was comfortable by the end of the day.

“It was good to get in the car and have a go,” Smith told Supercars.com.

“It was a bit different, because I’ve driven the MARC Cars a fair bit and it didn’t have the aids that they have, but the Supercar had a little bit more power.

“I seemed to get used to it fairly quickly and by the end of the day we were happy and I was comfortable.”

The MARC cars are run by Paul Morris and Ryan McLeod alongside the Australian GT category.

“A MARC Car is sort of a half way between a Supercar and a GT car because it’s got a lot of similar assets to what a Supercar has but it also has traction control and ABS like GT car.

“It’s the perfect stepping stone into Supercars or GT racing.”

Whilst Smith noted he is still evaluating his options for the future, he said Supercars Dunlop Series is definitely in the picture.

“Everyone watches Bathurst…it’s a great race I’d love to compete there one day for sure,” Smith said.

“We would like to be full time somewhere.

“We’ve known Paul Morris for most of the year and he has helped us out a fair bit. We are talking to him about our options and will just see how everything goes.

“We haven’t got anything locked in for next year…so it’s still to come really.”