Triple Eight junior opens up on Supercars aspirations, next steps

Jackson Walls came into the 2025 Dunlop Super2 Series as one of the top rookie prospects in the development series, and aligned with a returning Triple Eight Race Engineering.

Although the headlines have largely been claimed by Tickford Autosport's unparalleled dominance with their four Mustangs, the Sydneysider has quietly worked his way into fifth off the back of a Rookie of the Round performance in Townsville.

It's been a remarkably consistent season for the 2024 Porsche Carrera Cup Junior champion, who hasn't finished a race outside the top 10 in the opening half of the year.

Bringing backing from father and former GT racer Tony's software company Objective, the 22-year-old had been the centre of some silly season speculation, but made his position clear when speaking to Supercars.com.

"We've got a deadline between ourselves which I won't say, but there's no rush to get to Supercars for next year," said Walls.

"I need to do a bit better myself before I can make a step like that, but we are definitely keen on doing some co-driving next year in the 1000 and the other enduro events."

Having competed in one-make Porsche racing since 2020, Walls had dabbled with international sportscar racing with a Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia campaign in 2023, and is completing a part-time Carrera Cup schedule this year.

However, the Triple Eight junior admitted that his heart was set on a transition to Supercars throughout his Porsche career, despite coming just 27 points shy of a title in 2023.

"It was, but it wasn't something I was loud about. I really enjoyed Porsche, but at the same time I wondered each year if I was in the wrong category, although I do not regret doing Porsche whatsoever.

"I still think it was a wonderful category of mine with lots of success and highs and lows, but since I was a kid I've always wanted to be a Supercar driver.

Walls is looking to upset the form guide heading into the second half of the season, and establish himself as the lead threat to Tickford's dominant quartet.

Identifying qualifying as his biggest area to improve on across Ipswich, Bathurst, and Adelaide, Walls is confident that if he can turn around his one lap pace, he can climb to the top step of the podium.

"It's a nice feeling being the lead rookie, but at the same time I didn't join this championship to be a rookie champion, I joined it to be an overall champion, so that's still our focus and out goal this year.

"We don't want to look past that at all, but it's definitely a confidence-builder being the first non-Tickford car in the championship, we just need to be a part of that top three in the championship to really move forward.

"I really believe if I can be in that top three in qualifying, I can win the race from there at any point."

The 2025 Dunlop Super2 Series continues at the Century Batteries Ipswich Super 440 from August 8-10. Tickets are on sale now.