Returning Best hunting 2026 Supercars drive
Zak Best hunting 2026 Supercars drive after enduro comeback
Best secured co-drive seat with Blanchard Racing Team for 2025 enduros
Victorian wants to "show why I should be on the grid next year"
Zak Best is determined to make an impression on his Supercars comeback to secure a seat on the 2026 grid.
On Tuesday, Blanchard Racing Team announced the signing of Best alongside Aaron Cameron for this year's Enduro Cup races at The Bend and Bathurst.
It'll mark Best’s first Supercars starts since 2023, when he raced with James Courtney and Tickford Racing. Best impressed on the Mountain, finishing sixth.
The Victorian has kept a low profile since the end of 2023, but hasn’t been far from racing, be it behind the wheel or driver coaching.
He made his Carrera Cup debut at Sandown last September after testing a Cup car at the Nürburgring, raced a Ford Mustang at last month’s Bathurst 6 Hour, and has been helping sister Ellexandra’s racing efforts.
Best now walks into a team with many familiar faces from his Tickford days, reuniting with the likes of now BRT Team Manager Kate Harrington and engineer Daniel Veronese.
When asked by Supercars.com if he felt the 2025 enduros were a chance to impress, Best was adamant.
“I definitely feel like it's an audition, given there's a lot of contracts up and there’s a new wave of talent coming in,” Best said.
"So, I think now's a better time than any to do a good job and show why I should be on the grid next year.”
Best finished runner-up in Super2 three seasons running, but despite his impressive form in the enduros and development series, dropped off the Supercars radar in 2024.
The Benalla driver admitted he battled to get a co-drive program together for 2024, but remained determined to stay within motorsport circles. He did just that, popping up in the BRT garage in Melbourne and Tasmania.
He returns amid a looming silly season that will see BRT driver James Courtney retire, and the likes of David Reynolds, Cameron Hill, James Golding, Will Davison and Jack Le Brocq off-contract.
“Last year was a bit of a struggle to get a co-drive and I wasn't doing a lot of racing,” Best said.
“But I did have a few experiences and tested with a Cup car team over there. That was quite exciting and did a one-off round at Sandown. Other than that I didn't do a lot of racing. Ultimately I just wanted to be back in the Supercar paddock, and that's where I feel I belong.
“It was quite challenging, obviously not doing Super2 again, you have to work pretty hard to nail something down. I definitely feel a bit of relief not knowing I've got one now.
“The hard work starts now to show that I'm good enough to be on the grid in ’26."
Best is confident the BRT opportunity is the right one, and logged 10 laps in Cameron’s Ford on Tuesday to reacquaint himself with Gen3 machinery. With a track day now under his belt, Best now feels free to attack the enduros and get attention of teams that may be looking for drivers for ’26.
"I think the vibe down at BRT at the moment's great,” he said.
“Obviously the changes they've made and stuff, I think that they're building something good down there and I think it's gonna be quite awesome down there actually.
“I was talking to them fairly early, and it came to fruition not that long ago. I was just hanging out to make the announcement and finally get in the car.
“It was great just to get back into a Gen3 Supercar yesterday and get familiar with the team, even if it was just 10 laps. I feel the car's come a long way since the first season."
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