Hughes looking to flip 2025 script in Supercars debut

Jarrod Hughes is determined to remind the Supercars paddock of what he is capable of in the Ryco Enduro Cup.

Following a consistent run to the Dunlop Super2 Series Rookie of the Year title in 2024, Hughes and the wider Erebus Academy/Image Racing outfit had high hopes entering the 2025 season.

However, it has been nothing short of a disastrous campaign for the 20-year-old, with a scary crash in Ipswich further compounding a miserable run that has left him mired in 20th.

Now Hughes, who later revealed he dislocated his left shoulder in the incident with Mason Kelly, is eager to make the most of his opportunity alongside Jack Le Brocq in the #9 Tyrepower Camaro, and prove that he is worthy of a spot in the main game.

"I completely understand from a team owner's point of view seeing how bad Super2 has gone this year, it obviously wouldn't put a great taste in your mouth to go in my direction," Hughes admitted to Supercars.com.

"So that's something I really want to try and reverse come Tailem Bend and Bathurst, and hopefully I can show what I can do, and then hopefully that will paint a little bit more of a picture for next year.

"We've got a few things in the pipeline that we're trying to work on, and a few different plans, but we'll just see what happens.

"It's always that silly season, so there's silly things going on, but we'll see what we can work out. One way or another we'll be there."

Erebus Motorsport starred in last year's enduros, showing great speed across both Sandown and Bathurst, with Brodie Kostecki and Todd Hazelwood claiming the team's second Bathurst win in record time, leading 157 laps.

Le Brocq and former co-driver Jayden Ojeda, who moves to Walkinshaw Andretti United's co-driving roster this year, also showed impressive speed before a late crash and double stack at Sandown and Bathurst respectively saw potential top fives go begging.

"That's what I'm most excited about to be honest with you. We came into Super2 this year with pretty high hopes to be honest with you after last year," Hughes added.

"We had a few things that held us back, that we could've been in contention for the championship. It would've been a long stretch, but the potential was there and moving into this year I just really wanted to take another step.

"But it just hasn't seemed to click in any way, to be honest it's lucky that I'm doing a lot of different racing because I'd be looking at myself wondering if I've run over a black cat or something or if I've lost my talent.

"The team has been awesome. We're all one big team, we struggle together and we win together, so everyone has been there for each other, and hopefully we can try and get over that.

"Doing these two co-drives, I can't thank Erebus enough, because this is giving me a chance to hopefully show what I can do, and I know I can do it.

"Hopefully everything lines up well, and all the stars align and we can put on a good show and do something that we're proud of."

The Ryco Enduro Cup begins at the AirTouch 500 at The Bend from September 12-14, before the Repco Bathurst 1000 from October 9-12, which will also see Hughes contest Round 5 of the Dunlop Super2 Series.