Photo: Supercars

Grand Tour tester Abbie Eaton secures Super2 chance

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British racer Abbie Eaton will make her debut in the Supercars-supporting Super2 Series this weekend in Adelaide after securing a deal with Matt Stone Racing.

Eaton, who has spent recent seasons competing in GT machinery, is well known for her role as test driver on the hit show The Grand Tour and headed for Australia prior to Christmas to start working towards a potential future in Supercars.

Having tested Super2 machinery with both Walkinshaw Andretti United and Matt Stone Racing, Eaton has now secured a late deal that will see her join the grid for the season opener this weekend at the wheel of one of MSR’s Triple-Eight built Holden Commodores.

“It has been an incredible process since arriving here in Australia back in November to finally say that we’re on the grid in Adelaide,” she said. “We’ve been working day and night since June last year to make this a reality and to get the deal done on Saturday morning was surreal, but it is a dream come true.

“The MSR team have been fantastic in their support, as have the team at Supercars with their encouragement and interest in getting me to Adelaide. I’ve watched many a race from the Adelaide 500 and of course the Formula 1 days over the years and it is one of the most talked about events internationally. After having the two tests in December I know what I need to work on and how to get the best out of a Supercar.

“It’s just a case of doing that whilst learning another new circuit. This year I’m focussing on learning the circuits and if I can snatch a podium or two out of it then that will be fantastic.

“Matt and his team are specialists when it comes to the Super2 Series and with their expansion to three cars, along with Todd [Hazelwood] in the main game and their championship-winning historical data, there will be plenty of data to compare, work through and establish a baseline.”

The deal is currently for the opening round of the year only, with work ongoing to try and extend the agreement through the remainder of the campaign.

“While I’m excited and thrilled that this has come together, it’s now down to work,” Eaton added. “I’ll be giving it my all throughout the weekend and doing what we can to repay the faith shown in me and ensure we’ll be on the grid for the rest of the season.”