Benalla’s Zak Best has been given a V8 Supercars lifeline, with the exciting young talent securing a co-driver role for Blanchard Racing Team ahead of the enduro events later this year.

Best was announced as the co-driver for full-time BRT driver Aaron Cameron in May and will be behind the wheel of the No. 3 CoolDrive Racing Mustang at the Tailem Bend and Bathurst 1000 events, marking a return to the Supercars scene after watching on in 2024.

“I am beyond excited to join BRT and partner with Aaron Cameron for the 2025 endurance rounds,” Best said via a Blanchard Racing Team statement.

“I'm grateful for the opportunity to prove myself in main game Supercars and am committed to delivering my best performance.

“I can’t wait to get behind the wheel and show what we can achieve as a team.”

Landing the co-driver role is a huge boost for Best, who earmarked himself as one of the brightest young talents in Australian racing with a raft of eye-catching performances between 2021 and 2023, none more spectacular than his efforts at Tailem Bend in 2022.

Representing Tickford Racing, Best became the youngest and first Supercars wildcard in history to claim pole position, finishing fifth in the race, while he also claimed a top 10 finish alongside 2010 Supercars champion James Courtney at Bathurst in 2023, crossing the line in sixth.

The 23-year-old also won five races across his three years in the Super2 feeder series, finishing as runner-up in the championship standings in each of those seasons, with his proven credentials a big reason behind BRT signing him for the enduro rounds.

“BRT is pleased to welcome Zak to our team,” BRT principal Tim Blanchard said.

“We rate Zak highly as a driver and his impressive track record speaks volumes. Zak's dedication, skill and passion for racing are exactly what we look for in our drivers and we are eager to see him in action alongside Aaron in the CoolDrive Racing Mustang.”

BRT manager Kate Harrington, who led the Tickford Racing Team’s Super 2 outfit during Best’s tenure, was enthusiastic about the addition of the young gun to the line-up alongside Cameron.

“Zak has worked previously with many of the BRT crew and we are well aware of his capabilities and potential as a driver,” she said.

"It's an exciting time for the team and we’re all looking forward to seeing him and Aaron work together as a young and dynamic pairing.”

The 2025 Supercars endurance season is set to kick off with The Bend Enduro from September 12 to 14 and will conclude with the Great Race, the Bathurst 1000, which will take place from October 9 to 12.

Seymour Telegraph Google News Panels

Thursday, 15th May 2025

Your Afternoon Headlines

Publish Panels