Rick Kelly turns first laps in nearly two years

Rick Kelly has turned laps in a Supercar for the first time in nearly two years.

Kelly, who retired at the end of 2020, cut laps in brother Todd’s #7 Carsales Nissan Altima on Tuesday.

The 2006 champion was joined by son Lex, Todd and Todd’s son Mason at Winton Motor Raceway.

There, the two-time Bathurst winner completed his first Supercar laps since February 2021.

Todd's teenage son Mason drove the same car at a race meeting at Sandown earlier this year.

Prior to the 2021 season, Kelly turned laps in Andre Heimgartner's #7 Ford Mustang at Phillip Island.

Heimgartner was unable to take part due to injuries sustained in his New Zealand Grand Prix appearance.

Kelly took the reins of the car in Heimgartner’s absence at Kelly Grove Racing's corporate ride day.

The 15-time race winner posted a video of Tuesday's action, complete with onboards, to his social accounts.

“Today was the first time in just under two years that I’ve jumped in a Supercar,” he said.

“I tell you what, it put a smile from ear to ear.

“It was a pretty special day to bring Lex to the track and show him what Supercars is all about.

“Also to see Todd at the track, and see Mason drive a Supercar — that was really, really cool.

“The kid can drive, and I can’t wait to see what he’s capable of in the future inside a car.

Kelly last raced in 2020

“To jump inside a Supercar — it’s really special.

“I blew the cobwebs out and had a great time."

Kelly's last competitive start came at the 2020 Bathurst 1000 alongside Dale Wood.

He finished 16th overall in his final season before the team became Kelly Grove Racing in 2021.

The 2021 season was the first since 2001 not to feature Kelly full-time. Older brother Todd retired at the end of 2017.

The 39-year-old has since started working on recreational park Trentham Waters Resort Mildura.

The Kelly family team has since evolved into Grove Racing, which runs under the Penrite Racing banner.

David Reynolds and rookie Matt Payne will race for the Braeside squad in 2023.

The 2023 Repco Supercars Championship will commence in Newcastle next March.

Tickets are on sale on Supercars.com and Ticketek.com.