Rookie Hill scores second MSR seat

A second rookie will race in 2023, with Cameron Hill confirmed alongside Jack Le Brocq at Matt Stone Racing.

Hill and Le Brocq will form MSR’s driver line-up for the first year of Gen3.

Hill replaced Todd Hazelwood, who in turn will replace PremiAir Racing-bound Tim Slade at CoolDrive Racing.

Hill — the 2021 Carrera Cup champion — will be one of two rookies on the 2023 grid.

Matt Payne, himself a Super2 title contender, will replace the retiring Lee Holdsworth at Penrite Racing.

Hill will be the first Canberran full-time Supercars driver since Dale Brede in 2004.

The 2015 national Formula Ford champion, Hill moved into Super2 with Triple Eight off the back of his Porsche title.

Hill made his Bathurst debut last month

The 25-year-old swiftly got to grips with Supercar machinery, and scored an overall podium at just his second attempt.

With one round remaining, Hill is a mathematical chance to take out this year’s Super2 title.

Triple Eight teammate Declan Fraser — who took himself out of the running for the MSSR drive — is favourite to win the title.

Hill made his Supercars debut alongside Chris Pither in a PremiAir Commodore at last month’s Repco Bathurst 1000.

Hill’s 2022 campaign also includes a maiden Bathurst 6 Hour win.

In 2023, Hill will realise his dream of racing full-time in Supercars.

“It has been a goal of mine for years to compete at the highest level here in Australia,” he said.

“We have massive potential here at MSR. The team has been building towards Gen3 for some time now.

"Everyone will have brand new cars, and I see it as a big opportunity for myself and the team to make an impact.

"It's the first time the playing field will have been level for years.

"I am grateful that Matt and the team see my potential and are giving me this opportunity.”

It marks the continuation of MSR’s intent to blood young stars, and Stone was excited to see Hill become the latest.

"It’s exciting to have another rookie in the fold here at MSR,” Stone said.

"And in Cam, we see a lot of great potential with the experiences and success that he has had in multiple categories over the past few years.

"I think he is the perfect fit for the changing dynamic that comes with Gen3."

The 2022 Supercars and Super2 seasons will conclude in Adelaide on December 1-4.