The big Dunlop Series Bathurst debutant class of 2023

'This year’s Dunlop Series grid will be firmly put to the test, with 13 drivers set to make their first starts at Mount Panorama in Supercar machinery.

Of the 26-driver Dunlop Series grid — 20 in Super2, and six in Super3 — 13 have yet to lap a Supercar around the Mountain.

That includes Ryan Wood and Cooper Murray, who are third and fourth in the Super2 standings, and Super3 title combatants Jobe Stewart, Jett Johnson and Cameron McLeod.

Three Super2 drivers — Kai Allen, Brad Vaughan and James Masterton — have previously made starts in Super3. Allen will also made his Great Race debut on Sunday.

Four drivers on this year’s grid have made Great Race starts: Zak Best, Matt Chahda, Aaron Seton and Jack Perkins. Best (Tickford Racing) and Perkins (Erebus Motorsport) will feature in Sunday’s race.

Elly Morrow, Zane Morse, Cameron Crick, Jay Hanson and Nash Morris have all raced in Super2 races at Mount Panorama. Bathurst was also the scene of Morris’ Super3 title victory in 2021.

That leaves a significant debutant class of 2023, led by Walkinshaw Andretti United’s Wood and Eggleston Motorsport’s Murray, who are both Supercars rookies.

Wood and Murray, however, have previously raced Porsches around the Mountain, and both have achieved success. Wood’s teammate Zach Bates, meanwhile, has raced Toyota 86s in Bathurst, and has also tasted victory.

It’s the same story for Blanchard Racing Team rookie Aaron Love, who won in Porsches last year. Love joins Best, Allen and Perkins on this year’s Great Race grid.

There’s also the likes of Lochie Dalton (Trans Am) and Aaron Cameron (TCR and S5000) who will make their Bathurst Supercar debuts, yet have already raced around the Mountain.

There will be a number of big names returning to the Supercars fold in Super3, with the Johnson, Kelly and McLeod families back in action. Jett Johnson, grandson of three-time Great Race winner Dick and son of 2007 podium-finisher Steven, will make his Supercar debut at Mount Panorama in a Nissan Altima.

Then, there’s another third-generation racer in Cameron McLeod, the son of longtime racer and industry veteran Ryan, who claimed pole position for the inaugural second-tier race in 2000. McLeod is also the grandson of 1987 Bathurst 1000 winner Peter. 

Mason Kelly, son of 2005 Bathurst winner Todd, will also turn laps around the Mountain in a Supercar for the first time. Todd also finished third in 2001, and second with brother Rick in 2006.

The Dunlop Series will be on track at Mount Panorama from Thursday, with drivers to complete 100km races on Friday and Saturday.

The class of 2023: Bathurst experience in a Supercar