Rising stars, famous names in for Dunlop Series opener

A host of rising stars and famous family names will feature at this weekend's first round of the 2024 Dunlop Series, the Thrifty Bathurst 500.

Kai Allen returns to defend his title, with the Mount Gambier teenager running the #1 on his Eggleston Motorsport Commodore.

A total of 23 Super2 cars have been entered in the 25-car grid, with Thomas Maxwell returning with MW Motorsport in a Super3 Nissan Altima. Cody Burcher, meanwhile, makes his Super3 debut, also in an Altima.

Walkinshaw Andretti United will be led by Zach Bates and Campbell Logan, who has replaced the main game-bound Ryan Wood.

There are 15 Holdens and nine Fords on the grid, with Eggleston Motorsport entering four Commodores for returnees Allen, Cooper Murray, Jordyn Sinni and Cameron Crick.

Tickford Autosport, the development pathway arm of Tickford Racing, has entered three Fords for incumbent Brad Vaughan, recruit Lochie Dalton, and graduate Rylan Gray.

Gray is one of five drivers making the leap from Super3 to Super2, along with 2023 top three Jobe Stewart (Erebus Motorsport Commodore), Jett Johnson (AIM Motorsport Mustang) and Cameron McLeod (RM Racing Cars with PremiAir Commodore).

Then, there's Mason Kelly, who was announced in a two-car Kelly Racing effort alongside fellow rising star Aaron Cameron, who won last year's S5000 title.

Brad Jones Racing has signed Cody Gillis and Elliott Cleary to race two Commodores, while Porsche young gun Max Vidau has replaced Zak Best at Anderson Motorsport.

Dunlop Series action gets underway on Friday February 23 with Practice 1 at 9:50am local time, followed by Practice 2 at 3:25pm.

The weekend will be headlined by two 40-minute races at 2:45pm (Saturday February 24) and 1:40pm (Saturday February 25.

Dunlop Series Entry List: 2024 Thrifty Bathurst 500