Bathurst 1000 rookie Jesse Dixon is hoping to complete a full-time national series in 2013 in either the Dunlop Series or V8 Utes.

Dixon, who won the right to compete in the 2012 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 as part of the Shannons Supercar Showdown team, has completed sporadically in Australian Formula Ford, the Australian Swift Racing Series and V8 Utes in past seasons, but looks set to step up to a more permanent program next year.

“I’ve got a few things going on in the pipelines,” Dixon told Speedcafe.com.

“Either Development Series or the V8 Utes I think is the best next step for me in my career. I’ve been talking with sponsors and we’re just deciding what direction we want to head.”

The 20-year-old says that while he has spoken to a number of teams – and even tested for Matt Stone Racing – he needs to sort a budget before getting too committed to a 2013 program.

“I’ve been in touch with a lot of DVS teams, there are a lot of good ones out there,” he said.

“I had a few laps in Matt Stone’s car a few months ago, which was really cool. I think first priority is securing the budget and then go from there, but we’ll see what happens.”

Dixon enjoyed a breakout, if brief racing schedule in 2012. He enjoyed a successful two-round cameo in the Ice Break Racing V8 Ute earlier this year as part of the Chris Pither Scholarship program, but is best remembered for combining with Cameron Waters to become the youngest pairing to start the Bathurst 1000. The pair finished a credible 20th.

“Getting a run at Bathurst was a lot of fun and I learnt a lot there,” the Adelaide-born driver said, “so I’ve already got the bug for Supercars.”

Both the Dunlop Series and Auto One V8 Utes Series commence in 2013 at Adelaide’s Clipsal 500, from 28 February to 3 March.