Rookies to lead expanded BJR Super2 effort
BJR expands to two Super2 entries in 2024
Rookies Elliott Cleary and Cody Gillis will make their debuts
Both drivers raced in last year's Trans Am series
Brad Jones Racing has expanded its Dunlop Series fleet from one to two cars in 2024, with rookies Elliott Cleary and Cody Gillis to make their debuts.
BJR operated one car for Lochie Dalton 2023, with Dalton set to shift to Tickford Racing for the upcoming season.
Cleary and Gillis are both stepping up from the National Trans Am series into the development Supercars series. The two drivers are products of Tom Williamson's The Racing Academy squad.
Teenager Cleary, 17, will race the #9 ZB Commodore this year. He arrives in form, finishing second overall for the round at last year's Bathurst International in Trans Am.
Back in 2021, Cleary finished eighth in the KA2 class in the Australian Kart Championship, and won the Gold Star title in the West Australian Formula Ford Championship in 2022.
“Really excited to work with BJR and to step up to the challenge that Super2 presents,” said Cleary, who had his first taste of a Team 18 Gen3 Supercar during sponsor rides at Sandown last September.
“The racing in Super2 is very competitive and it will be awesome for me to learn and grow with the team.
"I am so grateful for this opportunity and for all the support I have around me, especially my family.”
Wollongong-born karting whiz Gillis, 24, stepped up to Trans Am in 2023 and finished seventh overall. He will drive the #19 ZB Commodore in 2024.
Both drivers have previously tested for BJR, and will debut at the Thrifty Bathurst 500 on February 23-25.
“I'm pretty keen to be in Super2 this year. It's been a big dream of mine since I was young,” Gillis said.
"I'm probably a little bit older than most of the field at the moment, but it's not going to stop me. And I've always wanted to be here. I'm keen for the big year.
“The goal is to improve and as a racing driver, you always want to win.
"But if we can sort of aim for top five and then as the year goes on, probably consistently to be top three would be amazing.”
Team owner Jones added: “Having such exciting new talent like Elliott and Cody in Super2 for us is a boost to that program.
“You don’t take the decision to expand lightly, it always has to stack up but there is a lot of sense to running these two very capable drivers.
“Looking at the results from karting and how they’re accelerating through the ranks in other categories, it’ll be interesting to see how they come to grips with the Super2 car. We’re looking forward to getting on track at Bathurst."
