Team Blanchard Racing has confirmed Todd Hazelwood as its driver for 2023 just prior to this weekend’s Repco Bathurst 1000.
Hazelwood will leave Matt Stone Racing in which he joined following two seasons at Brad Jones Racing where he scored his maiden pole and podium.
The former Super2 Series winner has endured a tough return to the squad he made his Supercars debut with back in 2018 as Hazelwood sits 17th in the standings after finishing a best of fifth at Symmons Plains and Albert Park.
Hazelwood is excited by the opportunity provided by the Blanchard family for next season heading into the Gen3 era.
“I am very proud that I’ll be joining the Blanchard Racing Team in 2023,” he said.
“The team at BRT has big ambitions for the future and I’m looking forward to the challenge of pushing myself to achieve the goals put in place.
“BRT has an incredibly professional outfit which includes very experienced personnel with strong resources within the automotive industry.
“With all this combined, I have no doubt this will help the team and I achieve our goals in 2023 and beyond.”
It has been an equally inconsistent season for Blanchard Racing Team after enduring a period of imbalance behind the scenes as engineer Mirko De Rosa has been absence at recent rounds and team manager Brendan Hogan has transferred to a position within the Blanchard’s business.
“We would like to welcome Todd to BRT for the 2023 season, as we take on the challenge of the Gen3 era,” Blanchard said.
“Todd has established himself in the series over recent years.
“We are confident that in our environment working alongside Mirko De Rosa, he will be able to fulfil his potential that has been evident to date.
“In 2023 we will enter our third season as a standalone team and continue to build on the foundations we have laid.
“We are investing in additional infrastructure, assisting Supercars with the Gen3 project.
“We are excited to add a Super2 program to the business as an additional tool to develop talent within the team.”
Blanchard also paid credit to the squad’s inaugural driver Tim Slade, who is hotly tipped to join PremiAir Racing in 2023 alongside James Golding.
“We would like to thank Tim Slade for his contribution to BRT in its foundation years.
“While it is disappointing we couldn’t reach an agreement for 2023, we wish him all the best for his future.”
Hazelwood’s confirmation follows Penrite Racing’s announcement of its line-up for next year as highly credential rookie Matt Payne joins David Reynolds.