23Red Racing eyeing Super2 Series expansion

23Red Racing owner Phil Munday is considering expanding the team’s operations to include a Super2 Series program for 2018.

A long time sponsor of the sport, Munday acquired one of Lucas Dumbrell’s Racing Entitlements Contracts at the end of last season, with the new team unveiled at the final race of the season at Newcastle.

Munday is now exploring opportunities to add a Super2 Series program for the coming season, with a decision expected to be made in the coming days.

“I’ve got some stuff in the pipeline so really, see what comes out in the next week or so,” Munday told Speedcafe.com.

“At the moment I don’t have a car, but that’s not to say I won’t have something.”

The Super2 program would form part of a longer term plan for 23Red Racing, which could provide a ready replacement for main game pilot Will Davison or even a second car in the Supercars Championship.

“I run in a three year cycle,” Munday explained.

“Will is certainly nowhere near the end of his game, and I think he’s got a lot to offer.

“Just because at this stage we only have one Supercars license in the main game doesn’t mean that we wouldn’t look at something if it grew in what we’re doing.

“Really, 2019 will be the same as this year in the main game with Will; 2020 I would think we’ll still have Will in the main game with us, so there’s a succession for what we want to do.

“So we haven’t made a decision, or I haven’t made a decision, that we’re going to run a development car, but there is a potential that we could run a Super2 car.”

It’s understood the team’s planned Porsche Carrera Cup Australia effort has been shelved, despite forming part of the launch announcement at Newcastle.

Olympic medalist John Steffensen was expected to step up to the series following a year in Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge in 2017, and is now exploring other avenues to take part in the series.

In other news, Munday has confirmed to Supercars’ official website that Rob Crawford will take up the role of crew chief at 23Red.

He replaces Cameron McConville, who will now serve an advisory role.

The opening round of the 2018 Dunlop Super2 Series coincides with the opening round of the Virgin Australian Supercars Championship at the Adelaide 500 on March 1-4.