DECLAN Fraser speaks in unwavering fashion about his vow to not be a ‘one and done’ case in Supercars.
The contrast between Fraser’s 2022 and 2023 fortunes proved stark.
Last year, he finished eighth on debut in the Repco Bathurst 1000 (with Craig Lowndes) and won the Super2 title for Triple Eight.
That earnt him a main game shot at Tickford Racing; 12 months on, Fraser is out of a drive after the Campbellfield squad downsized from four cars to two for 2024.
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“It’s definitely a tough pill to swallow,” Fraser told V8 Sleuth.
“It’s pretty hard going from Super2 champion to finding my feet in the category on a multi-year contract and then not being able to drive the following year.
“But at the end of the day, I’m still grateful that I had the opportunity to even set foot in the car and get the first year under my belt, which I think a lot of people would absolutely go above and beyond for that type of opportunity.
“When I’m back – and trust me, I will be back eventually – I know how the cars are going to be when I get there.”
Fraser ended up 24th in the championship with a single top 10 to his name but gathered “invaluable” experience along the way, including the chance to learn from 2023 teammates Cam Waters, James Courtney and Thomas Randle.
“Looking to 2024, unfortunately I won’t be on the grid full-time, but I feel like I’m going to be a pretty valuable co-driver wherever I end up,” he added.
The 23-year-old indicated he is relatively advanced with sorting a co-drive and is also weighing up other opportunities. He has been linked to a possible Porsche Carrera Cup Australia seat.
“I just want to make sure wherever I go, I have the best opportunity at winning,” Fraser said.
“Because right now for my career, all I need is a really good strong result again to show everyone why I won a Super2 championship last year and why I was selected to go to main game this year.
“I want to get back into the winners’ circle so at the moment I am trying to align myself with the best possible opportunity to do that.”
Waters and Randle will drive for a streamlined Tickford in 2024, while Courtney has joined the Blanchard Racing Team on a two-year deal.
