'Macca' to line up with Wood for enduros
V8 Supercars Dunlop Series driver Macauley Jones has received the call-up to co-drive with Dale Wood for this year's Pirtek Enduro Cup.
The 20-year old son of Brad Jones, Macauley has cut some laps in Wood's #21 GB Galvanizing Holden Commodore this year, with additional drivers able to participate in Friday practice.
Brad had been hesitant to confirm Macauley as co-driver, as the young gun hits his straps in the Dunlop Series and is learning from the international FIA Young Driver Excellence Academy program he was hand selected for this year.
Macauley is thrilled to have the opportunity to run in his first V8 Supercars Championship races this year.
The young gun is fully supported by the team, its sponsors and Wood, who believes the rising star is ready to make an impact.
In 2013, Wood teamed up with Chaz Mostert - who was in his first Championship year at Dick Johnson Racing - and reveled in the mentor role.
"It's awesome to have 'Macca' driving alongside me, he's a really committed young bloke with a very mature head," Wood said.
"To have anyone who is doing the Dunlop Series at the same time is great as they are so comfortable in the racing environment.
"I'm confident between the two of us we can get some great results in the car."
For Macauley, racing the Supecheap Auto Bathurst 1000 and the other prestigious endurance races at Sandown and the Gold Coast is nothing short of a dream come true.
"It will be great to work with Dale, the GB Galvanizing Racing crew and engineers over the next few months," he said.
"It hasn't really hit me yet that I'm going to be a part of the biggest race in Australian history.
"I've been going to Bathurst for quite a few years now; it is a place that I've been dreaming of competing at since I was a kid.
"I'm really pumped for it and so excited that I have the opportunity to race not only in the Bathurst 1000 but the endurance cup as a whole."
Macauley's confirmation is the final piece of the puzzle for Brad Jones Racing, which will utilise last year's co-drivers Luke Youlden and Andrew Jones (Brad's nephew) in the Freightliner and Team BOC Commodores respectively.
"It certainly hasn't been an easy decision," the Brad Jones Racing team boss said.
"Macauley has had fantastic support from Dale Wood, the guys at GB Galvanizing Racing, ADVAM and PAYCE.
"He will have a lot of experienced and talented people to help him with the transition. He has a ride day, test day plus another co-drive session at [next round] Sydney Motorsport Park to continue to acclimatise himself with the car and team.
"His pace when he has had the opportunity to drive the #21 car has been really good and I'm looking forward to seeing him continue that form in the enduros."
While BJR has been a strong force in the Championship in the Car of the Future phase, enduro wins have not yet come.
Coulthard smashed the lap record at Bathurst last year, and Bright has also consistently done well at the challenging circuit - Jones is hoping 2015 is the year it will happen for his team.
"I'm really looking forward to continuing our form into the enduros this year. Bathurst felt like a lost opportunity in 2014 and I'd love to be on the podium this year," he said.
The Pirtek Enduro Cup co-drivers will have a run at the team's test day, the date to be confirmed prior to the September Wilson Security Sandown 500.
Macauley contests the Dunlop Series in the #14 PAYCE Holden Commodore and will be on double duties at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, which also features a mini-endurance Dunlop Series race.
Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport is the final team still to confirm a co-driver, with the seat with Tim Blanchard still to be filled.
