Perkins lands Bathurst 1000 co-drive
Brad Jones Racing has snapped up arguably the biggest free agent co-driver remaining on the 2020 market, locking in Jack Perkins to partner Jack Smith.
The 34-year-old has a wealth of experience behind him, with 14 previous starts in the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.
The most recent of those netted a podium alongside James Courtney at Walkinshaw Andretti United last October.
Perkins was subsequently signed by 23Red Racing for this year, only for him to join Will Davison in losing his seat when the Tickford customer car was forced to be withdrawn during the sport’s COVID-19 break.
After a period of uncertainty, his presence on the grid for the 2020 Great Race has now been confirmed, in the #4 SCT Logistics Commodore.
“It’s been a crazy year, having had a deal locked in with another team and then having all that fall over was pretty tough to deal with,” said Perkins, who won with Courtney at the 2015 Gold Coast 600.
“However, it’s great to be at Bathurst with a top team like Brad Jones Racing and also cool to be in a Holden Commodore in their last year officially supporting the sport.
“I’m looking forward to driving and working with Jack Smith in the SCT Logistics Commodore.
“It’s a bit of a different mindset for me to be working with a rookie on the Mountain, but hopefully I can lend him some of my experience and help Jack and the team achieve a good, solid result.”
For Smith, the highlight of his maiden main game campaign thus far has been a strategy-inspired run to 10th at Sydney Motorsport Park in July.
The 21-year-old is looking forward to drawing on Perkins’ experience for what will be his second time contesting the Great Race.
“Having Jack onboard is a huge win and I’m looking forward to driving with him,” said Smith.
“He comes with a vast amount of experience and understanding so I think that will be a big advantage for me being a rookie and hopefully I can learn a lot from him.
“We’re both quite calm guys so I think we will work together well and hopefully come away with some good results.
“Anything can happen at the Mountain so we just need to stay focused on our own race and I have to do my part as best as I can.
“I’m excited to have the finale there also, what a weekend that will be.”
Just four co-drives are yet to be confirmed, two of which are largely expected to go to Tim Blanchard and Jonathon Webb.
The Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 will be held on October 15-18 at Mount Panorama.
