AS few as two seats remain up for grabs for the 2023 Great Race after Matt Stone Racing committed to Jaylyn Robotham as its second co-driver.
MSR had already locked in Jayden Ojeda alongside Jack Le Brocq, and now Robotham has been announced to partner Cameron Hill.
It follows Robotham turning laps last Thursday as part of a test day at Queensland Raceway.
“Really excited to be joining Cam and MSR in the #35 Truck Assist Camaro for the enduro rounds this season,” said the 20-year-old.
“We had a decent test last week and it felt good with the team.
“Having worked with (engineer) Paul Forgie before (during his 2019 title-winning TA2 Asia campaign) and also having done my first evaluation day with MSR a few years ago really made it a lot easier coming into the team.
“Can’t thank everyone enough that made this possible and also to everyone at MSR for this opportunity.”
Robotham, a Super2 race winner, has one prior Repco Supercars Championship start under his belt, having joined forces with Matt Chahda for a privateer wildcard at the 2022 Bathurst 1000.
As it stands, Hill and Robotham are the youngest confirmed pairing for this year’s two-round enduro swing at a combined age of 46 – although they’ll be eclipsed if Tickford pairs Declan Fraser up with Tyler Everingham as expected.
“We are pleased to welcome Jaylyn into the MSR family as Car #35 co-driver,” said team owner Matt Stone.
“Already Jaylyn is immediately fitting in well with the team, and having worked with Car #35 race engineer Paul Forgie in the past, that has sped up the process.
“He did a good job in the Caltex wildcard last year in difficult conditions and has proven he can drive around Bathurst in a decent lap time with no mistakes over a six-hour race.
“Cam and Jaylyn are a good, young combination and Jaylyn will perform his role as a co-driver very well for Car #35.”
Hill, who is used to working with young talent through his CHE Racing team, had high praise for Robotham.
“He has a good head on his shoulders, the right attitude and he’s quick as well, so he ticks all the boxes for us,” said the Canberran.
“Last week when we had Jaylyn join us for the test day, he gelled really well with the team and did a good job on track.
“I’m definitely excited for the enduro season.”
Just two co-drives are yet to be filled of the 25 regular entries, those being alongside Tim Slade at PremiAir Racing and Todd Hazelwood at the Blanchard Racing Team.
One wildcard (Triple Eight’s Zane Goddard/Craig Lowndes) is confirmed to be joining the field, with no others expected beyond the possibility of Peter Adderton’s Chevrolet Camaro.
