Brad Jones Racing will field Australian Karting Champion Josh Fife in this year’s Kumho Tyre Super3 Series.

The 18-year-old makes the move out of karts into chassis BJR-010, previously raced in the Supercars Championship by the late Jason Richards and in Super2 by Macauley Jones, for his tilt at the third tier Supercar series in 2019.

Fife become the youngest driver to win the national KZ2 championship in 2017 before embarking on an overseas campaign last year in the WSK Super Master Series and World Championship.

He still also raced at home in 2018, however, finishing second in the AKC KZ2 standings despite missing the opening round.

“A lot of Australia’s best drivers started their racing career in karts, and I am very aware that the jump from karts to Super3 will be a big one,” said Fife, who completed an evaluation with BJR last year.

“This challenge excites me and after seeing some of the drivers that have said they are racing in the series this year I believe it will be competitive and exciting door-to-door racing.”

Team owner Brad Jones added, “It’s fantastic to have Josh on board with us this year. He’s completed two test days with us at Winton last year and really showed some great potential.

“Josh has a great attitude and is fast behind the wheel. Super3 is a natural step up in his career and I believe it will only be a matter of time before he is progressing up to the Super2 Series.

“The team and I are looking forward to seeing what Josh can achieve this year. We know what it takes to win in this series and we’re on board to help Josh achieve his goals.”

BJR won the Super3 Series in 2017 with Jack Smith, who is the Albury team’s sole entry in Super2 this year.

Fife joins a host of young guns in well-credentialled teams in this year’s third tier, with Nic Carroll and Hamish Ribarits already announced at MW Motorsport, and Broc Feeney at Paul Morris Motorsport.

Last year’s Super3 Series winner, Tyler Everingham, has moved up to Super2 with MWM.

Fife is set to complete two more test days before Round 1 of Super3 at the WD-40 Phillip Island SuperSprint on April 12-14.