Rising star Buckley eager for first Supercar laps

Rising star Alice Buckley is eager to finally get her first taste of Supercar machinery ahead of a possible Dunlop Super2 Series tilt in 2026.

The 18-year-old will join a host of fellow young drivers in steering a Matt Stone Racing-prepared Holden ZB Commodore at an upcoming evaluation day at Queensland Raceway.

Buckley, the 2025 Toyota GAZOO Racing Australia Scholarship Series winner, has turned heads in motorsport this year. Notably, she won on TA2 Muscle Car Series debut at Queensland Raceway earlier this year, and won the Tag Team Enduro alongside mentor Tim Slade.

Buckley was set to test an Eggleston Motorsport Commodore at Winton following the AirTouch 500 at The Bend, but was sidelined after a mechanical failure at The Bend left her with an arm injury. She has since returned to racing, and later this month, finally get behind the wheel of a Supercar.

“It will mean the world really. It's such a cool experience, it's not every day you get that opportunity,” Buckley told Supercars.com.

“To do it with MSR, for them to be very local to me and have them be as supportive as what they have been, is awesome.

“It's obviously every little kid's dream from go-karts to drive a Supercar. So the fact that it's happening is a little bit surreal, but I'm super excited for it.”

Should she make her Super2 debut next season, Buckley would become the first female to contest the Dunlop Series since Elly Morrow drove for Tickford in 2023.

Chevrolet-backed Buckley has driven a raft of different cars over the years, but isn’t overawed by what a Supercar offers.

"I've done a little bit of simulator work. I had the opportunity when I was 14 to go over to the Ferrari Driver Academy and drive some open wheelers,” she explained.

"So, from a horsepower side of things and aerodynamics, that's probably the most relatable thing in my mind to a Supercar, compared to an 86 and the things I've driven before.

“The Corvettes and the Trans Am would be also close. I'm prepared for it.”

All told, the MSR opportunity is the latest stepping stone towards climbing the ladder to Supercars for Buckley, who is more determined than ever to get there following the action-packed title fights in both Supercars and Super2 this year.

“We're looking to compete in Super2 next year,” Buckley said.

“Throughout the day I am just going to take it for what it's worth, but also try and learn as much as I can for next year.

“I was going to drive an Eggleston car earlier this year, but sadly that didn't end up happening because of my injury. But I’m very grateful to them for that opportunity.

“The level Super2 is at as a category, it would be really exciting to get to be a part of that next year and hopefully make my way to Supercars.

“Watching Supercars and Super2 this year has motivated myself to work harder to be the best driver I can be."