BJR enters Supercars Eseries with karting champion

Brad Jones Racing will contest the upcoming Gfinity Supercars Eseries with two-time West Australian karting champion and talented sim racer Jake Burton.

The 20-year-old is a regular in the V8 Supercar Online Premier Series, in which he won last year’s 250-lap race at Watkins Glen, but it was his exploits in the real world which saw him link with the Jones family.

Burton also earned a berth in the Toyota 86 Racing Series by winning his division in the 2017 Aussie Driver Search competition, during which he met Macauley Jones, Virgin Australia Supercars Championship driver and son of team owner, Brad.

He will pilot a Dunlop Racing entry in the Eseries, mimicking Nick Percat’s BJR entry during this year’s Supercars Championship.

“I met Macauley last year through the Aussie Driver Search program and that’s really how all of this came about,” explained Burton.

“For Brad and Macauley knowing my history and successes, it was one of those conversations that has now led to this. It’s quite exciting and I’m thankful for their support, including the team at Dunlop.

“Back when I added sim racing alongside my karting in 2013, the Supercar series was held every Monday night, with around 50 people watching online.

“It’s amazing to see how far it has come; the Gfinity Supercar Eseries is incredibly well-setup with high quality technology and will be very entertaining for the fans. This is next level.

“There is going to be some great competition in this years’ series. Everyone is highly competitive and puts in a lot of time behind the wheel.

“Knowing that the Supercar guys spend a lot of time on their sims too, I know they’ll be watching with interest too.”

Brad Jones added, “Jake has real life experience behind the wheel; contesting in the Toyota 86 Series as part of the Supercar events in recent years.

“This track experience is something that makes him stand out from the other Eseries drivers; and no doubt his time behind both wheels will help him in the competition.

“The Dunlop team, BJR crew and I are looking forward to seeing what he can achieve, and we have no doubt he’ll be one to watch.”

Walkinshaw Andretti United and Garry Rogers Motorsport have also committed to fielding entries in the Eseries.

The series, which will be telecast on Fox Sports, comprises 16 races across six rounds, starting on September 24.

Gfinity’s parent company will close its esports arm later this year, but after the Supercars Eseries wraps up in the week of the Supercars Championship finale in Newcastle.