One of the worst secrets in the Supercars paddock has been confirmed as James Courtney will join the Blanchard Racing Team in 2024 alongside rookie Aaron Love.
Since joining the Repco Supercars Championship grid for season 2021, the Blanchard Racing Team has been a single-entry effort and for 2024 after acquiring another Teams Racing Charter from a downsized Tickford Racing outfit will add another Ford Mustang.
Love is set to replace Todd Hazelwood in his Ford Mustang as Courtney brings Snowy River Caravans across from his Tickford Racing entry to the Blanchard Racing Team.
Hazelwood will not feature on the grid full-time next year for the first time since 2018 after making the step up with Matt Stone Racing following victory in the previous year’s Super2 Series.
Co-Team Principal Tim Blanchard was thrilled to reveal a line-up featuring the best of experience alongside a rising star of the sport.
“It’s exciting to have Aaron and James on board as we take the next step in our development as a team,” said Blanchard.
“We are thrilled to welcome James and Snowy River Caravans to BRT on a multi-year agreement. Their combined passion for the sport will complement BRT and help us achieve our goals.
“We are also excited to watch Aaron develop as he has quickly proven himself as being one of Supercars’ hottest prospects.
“Todd Hazelwood has been an important part of the BRT story to date, we thank him for his contribution to our development in 2023, and we hope to work with him again in the future.”
Courtney was confirmed as exiting Tickford Racing yesterday after joining the team midway through the 2020 season and is ready to take on a new challenge with the Blanchard family.
“It’s great to be able to confirm my partnership with BRT and continue to work with the crew at Snowy River Caravans.
“I love the family-run dynamic of the team, and they have demonstrated they are committed to make the investment it takes to be a front-running outfit,” Courtney revealed.
“Pairing up with Aaron will be another exciting prospect. He is one of the rising stars of the Supercar ranks at the moment and I look forward to taking him under my wing as a mentor. I have no doubt he has the speed to really push me and the team forward.
“Tim and John [Blanchard] are racers through and through, and it’s exciting to be a part of their next chapter.”
Love was a revelation in last year’s Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Championship as he nearly snagged the title despite missing two rounds and this season has made the jump to Super2 seamlessly earning a Wildcard drive with the Blanchard Racing Team for the endurance events.
“I’m extremely grateful and excited to be given this opportunity to continue with BRT into 2024,” Love expressed.
“Even though I’ve only been a part of BRT for just under a year, I’ve got a lot of confidence in them and know they’ll do everything in their power to keep building the team and strive for success. To be a part of that journey really excites me.
“Although we’ve had an up and down season so far in 2023, I think we’ve shown some really promising performances, but there is still work to do.
“It’s definitely going to be a challenge to step up, but to do it with like-minded people is rare.
“I’m very happy to be surrounded by a team who are all working to the same objective.”
Outside of Tickford Racing confirming its 2024 line-up, the grid for next year’s Repco Supercars Championship is set.