Scene set for Townsville Super2 showdown

AN intriguing Dunlop Series round awaits this weekend in Townsville with an array of storylines to follow.

And they go far beyond Kai Allen’s mission for back-to-back titles.

Familiar faces return

Veteran co-drivers Dean Fiore and Jack Perkins will get valuable miles ahead of the 2024 enduros, adding experience to the grid.

Both are Super2 race winners and Supercars Championship podium-getters (Perkins in fact has a main game victory), but their call-ups here come in very different circumstances.

For Perkins, it’s another stunning retro livery as the Blanchard Racing Team grows to five cars at Townsville.

It’s a little more subdued on the Fiore side, the West Australian filling in for Jett Johnson after the teenager announced he’ll take a break from racing on mental health grounds.

That will make for a two-pronged change at AIM Motorsport, with Super2 regular Zane Morse reclaiming his seat from Ryan Gilroy after missing Perth through injury.

Rebuilds galore

There were two particular heart-in-mouth moments from Perth: the fire which ruined a career-best run for Mason Kelly, and the huge rollover crash involving Cameron McLeod (and for which Cooper Murray was disqualified).

Those preceded a pair of extensive rebuild journeys, which have now been completed by Kelly Racing and PremiAir Racing respectively.

Momentum time

Talking of Murray, can the Eggleston Motorsport speedster use his stunning showing on main game debut at Darwin to turn his Super2 season around?

Murray initially outqualified eventual race winner Broc Feeney in making the Sunday Top 10 Shootout.

It was a reminder of the extreme raw pace which proves his lowly position in the Super2 standings is far from representative.

Early look at upcoming debutants

Another three Supercars Championship debuts have been announced in the past month: McLeod, Cameron Crick and Lochie Dalton.

McLeod and Crick will co-drive with Tim Slade (PremiAir) and Cameron Hill (Matt Stone Racing) respectively, while Dalton will compete as a solo Tickford Racing wildcard at Sydney Motorsport Park later this month.

It will be worth keeping an eye on all three this weekend with a view to what’s to come.

ENTRY LIST: 2024 Dunlop Series, Round 3 at Townsville