A RISING star has declared his intentions to join the Dunlop Super3 Series next year.
Fresh off sampling a Gen3 Mustang Supercar last week, Valentino Astuti spoke of his future hopes.
“V8 Supercars is definitely the dream, I really want to be here,” he said.
“Now experiencing it, it just enhances that dream so much.
“But probably a stepping stone next year would be Super3, trying to find a seat somewhere and start from there.”
His evaluation day with Dick Johnson Racing at Queensland Raceway came in the line with the Ford squad’s support of Australian Formula Ford.
Astuti won the 2022 national title, earning him the evaluation opportunity – just as Thomas Sargent had enjoyed last year. Sargent is now a frontrunner in Porsche Carrera Cup North America.
Cameron McLeod, who placed third in Australian Formula Ford last season, has gone on to become a Super3 title contender this year.
Sharing DJR’s brand-new wildcard Mustang with Jett Johnson, Astuti relished the opportunity to learn from Anton De Pasquale and his renowned engineer Ludo Lacroix.
MORE: Steven Johnson open to father/son Bathurst wildcard
“(For) Dick Johnson Racing to provide that for the Formula Ford champion is just amazing,” he said.
“It gives you such an insight into the V8 world and how everything works and the prep work that goes into it, a lot of people for one car. It’s just really amazing.”
Walkinshaw Andretti United prodigy Matt Hillyer leads the 2023 Australian Formula Ford standings after taking his latest round win on the weekend for Sonic Motor Racing Services.
