REEF McCarthy will make his Dunlop Super2 Series debut at the Repco Bathurst 1000 next month.
McCarthy, 18, will take the place of fellow Erebus Academy youngster Jaylyn Robotham, who will focus on his maiden Great Race start aboard the Matt Chahda Motorsport wildcard.
The call-up into the #999 Image Racing VF Commodore represents the end of a 10-month Supercars hiatus for McCarthy, who raced in Super3 last year.
“I’m super excited to make my debut in Super2 at Bathurst. It will be a real test for me,” he said.
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“The Super2 field is a really strong category and I’m looking forward to testing my skills amongst some of the best up-and-coming drivers.
“It’s especially great to be debuting with Image Racing and I’m very fortunate that Terry and Dana (Wyhoon) have given me this opportunity, especially at the last minute.
“To have a great group of people behind me that will do whatever they can to get me out on track and give me the best car that they can is really fantastic of them.”
McCarthy, who has been competing in Victorian Formula Vee this season, will take part in a pre-Bathurst test day at Winton on September 28.
“The closest thing to a Super2 I’ve driven is the Erebus Mercadore,” he added.
“It was great to get a few laps in and brush out the cobwebs and I think I’m really going to enjoy adapting to the VF Commodore.
“Supercars is definitely still the ultimate goal for myself and any way that I can get myself amongst the category is great. I’m doing everything I can to continue moving forward.”
Robotham currently holds eighth in the Super2 standings in a campaign headlined by a race win at Sydney Motorsport Park.
