Super2 entry 'important step’ in BRT's growth

Expanding into Super2 is an "important step” in CoolDrive Racing’s growth, says Tim Blanchard.

Aaron Love was confirmed as the team’s first ever Super2 driver for 2023.

It comes after Blanchard Racing Team secured Todd Hazelwood to replace the outgoing Tim Slade.

Team owner Blanchard went out on his own with an independent single-car Ford Mustang team in 2021.

In two years, the team and Slade have moved up the grid, with a top 10 points position still a possibility.

Blanchard has long held an ambition to expand to a two-car operation.

CoolDrive Racing will be a two-car operation in 2023, albeit across different categories.

Hazelwood will be BRT's first driver of the Gen3 era aboard a brand-new Ford Mustang. It will be BRT's first brand-new car.

Blanchard (R) is keen to expand to a two-car team

However, having two cars in the main game is Blanchard’s aim — and running a Super2 entry will offer a strong taste of what could come.

"This is an important step in the growth of BRT as we continue to expand with the hopes of moving to two cars in the main Supercars Championship in the near future,” Blanchard said.

"It is an opportunity to take a manageable step forward for our team without compromising our main series entry with Todd Hazelwood.

"We have been really impressed with Aaron to date, he has the right attitude and is really fast.

"The whole team can’t wait to see what he can do in a Supercar.”

Should the Super2 programme prove beneficial for BRT in 2023, the team could expand to two cars in 2024.

Key to BRT’s expansion is personnel, with the team now in a position two run Supercars and Super2 programmes.

Should an expansion eventuate for 2024, Love could follow the pathway of current Super2 title contender Matt Payne.

Love, 20, will debut in a Supercar next year

Payne was picked up by the Groves towards the end of 2021, and he has impressed in his first full Super2 season.

It was enough to see the Groves promote Payne to the main game for 2023, replacing the retiring Lee Holdsworth.

The Kiwi driver will make his full-time Supercars debut in 2023 with Penrite Racing.

BRT has a good one in Love, who only just missed out on this year’s Carrera Cup title despite skipping two rounds.

Blanchard, having secured Love’s services, wants the West Aussie with BRT "for years to come”.

“We are excited to welcome a young talent like Aaron to BRT to contest the Super2 Series with us,” Blanchard said.

“He has dominated the rounds of the Carrera Cup he has competed in this year.

“That is why we want him to be with us for years to come.”