THE Blanchard Racing Team chalked up an important milestone at the recent Perth SuperSprint: its maiden podium trophy.
Less than 24 hours after Todd Hazelwood just ran out of time in his bid for a main game podium, Aaron Love secured silverware with his second-place round result in Super2.
Love survived a brutal Saturday battle with Zane Morse to finish sixth, before cashing in on the dramas experienced by Zach Bates, Brad Vaughan and Kai Allen to take second on the Sunday.
Since going out on its own at the start of 2021, BRT now has four fourth-place finishes in the Repco Supercars Championship but never a top three – making Love’s prize all the more special.
“Obviously for the team and myself it’s a whole new ballgame for us, all new guys, new mechanics and new engineer, so we have all been working really hard together and I have been really happy with the team, they have really bonded very well,” he said.
“We have just got to keep our head down, keep on punching forward and for myself just try to keep on learning and trying to understand the car a bit more so that we can get it quicker, quicker.
“So it has been a fun journey so far, so hopefully we can keep on going the way we are.”
The Western Australian is now an early Super2 title contender, just two positions and 75 points behind series leader Zak Best.
“We have just got to keep our head down like I said and try to stay consistent and not make any mistakes and keep it clean,” said Love.
“I think that’s one of the most important things in this championship, we’re just trying to build and learn, so I guess that’s the best way forward for us now.”
A contender to co-drive for BRT in the 2023 enduros, Love also enjoyed a rare opportunity on home soil at Wanneroo Raceway to share a top-level race meeting with brother Jordan, who was racing in GT World Challenge Australia.
“I think (it was) only the second time we’ve ever raced on the same weekend as each other, so to be able to do that, and Jordan is one of the closest people I’m with so to be able to talk to him about certain things and for him to be able to talk to me about certain things I think definitely helps,” said Aaron.
Townsville will host Round 3 of the Dunlop Series in July.
