Blanchard confirms 2017 drive

Tim Blanchard is excited to expand his interests in the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship as he prepares for life after racing.

The 29-year old has purchased a Racing Entitlement Contract (REC) for the 2017 season and beyond from Super Black Racing (run this year at Prodrive Racing Australia).

To be raced out of the Brad Jones Racing stable next season, the REC has been purchased as part of a long-term plan for Blanchard – though he has confirmed he will drive on next year.

“The Blanchard family along with CoolDrive Distribution thoroughly enjoy Supercars and it has become an integral part of our marketing strategy,” team owner Blanchard said.

“Long term, we would like to have an ongoing involvement in Supercars and saw the REC as an opportunity to do so.

“From a personal point of view, I am quite interested in the management side of Supercars and this was an opportunity for me to start preparing for a continued involvement in Supercars past my driving career.

“I can confirm I’ll be driving the CoolDrive Commodore again in 2017 but beyond that, I don’t know yet.”

The purchase was ratified by the Supercars Board yesterday.

Blanchard currently sits 23rd in the championship points with a best finish of 10th at Bathurst with co-driver Macauley Jones.