BJR youngster joins MSR for enduro debut

Brad Jones Racing’s Dunlop Super2 Series driver Jack Smith will be on the grid for the PIRTEK Enduro Cup, with Matt Stone Racing.

The 20-year-old is set to co-drive with Todd Hazelwood for the Bathurst, Gold Coast and Sandown events, marking his first enduro outings.

Smith will pull double duties at Bathurst and Sandown as he continues his Dunlop Super2 campaign with the Jones team.

It adds to a busy year for the Gold Coast-based driver, who will also have four main game wildcards with BJR under his belt by the time he gets to Bathurst.

The last of those will take place at Tailem Bend in August, following earlier runs at Symmons Plains, Winton and Hidden Valley.

BJR has already completed its enduro line-up, opting for the experienced Dean Canto to help rookie Macauley Jones in the #21 entry.

Following a wildcard test with BJR on Tuesday at Winton, Smith will have his first taste of MSR’s Triple Eight-built Commodore today at Queensland Raceway.

“It’s an exciting opportunity and I’m really looking forward to getting the ball rolling for the enduros,” Smith told Supercars.com.

“There wasn’t an opportunity there at Brad’s for the enduros this year, but I spoke to Matt and think that MSR is a really good team to be involved with.

“I’ve never really driven any Supercar other than a BJR car, apart from a brief stint with Paul Morris, so I’m really looking forward to meeting the team and driving the car.

“I’ve known Todd for a little bit now and think he’s a really good guy, so I’m excited to work with another young driver.”

Smith is currently in his third Super2 season with BJR, sitting 10th in this year’s standings with a best result of seventh achieved last time out in Townsville.

Team owner Stone told Supercars.com he’s pleased to bring another young driver into the MSR fold.

“Matt Stone Racing is proud to support Jack Smith in the next step of his career,” he said.

“We’ve watched him progress this year doing the wildcards and feel he’s earned the opportunity for the co-drive.

“We’ll try to give Jack every opportunity to be comfortable in the car and work with Todd, starting with today’s test.

“The more time they can spend together before the enduro season the better.”

MSR will be joined at Queensland Raceway today by fellow main game squads Shell V-Power Racing and the Red Bull Holden Racing Team.