Russell appears favourite to secure LDM seat

Aaren Russell appears the favourite to land the second Supercars seat at Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport following confirmation Matt Chahda will contest the Dunlop Super2 Series.

Russell has moved into the picture following the reveal of the Dunlop Super2 entry list which sees Chahda pilot an LDM Commodore in the second tier series.

Chahda had been announced as the team’s second main game driver at the season launch before CAMS rejected a Superlicence dispensation, which effectively blocked him from taking the drive.

Russell shared the #3 LDM Holden Commodore with Chahda at the Sydney Motorsport Park tyre test on Tuesday.

Newcastle-based Russell has been in contact with the Melbourne team regarding the vacant seat, however he confirmed to Speedcafe.com on Tuesday that a deal is not yet in place.

Speedcafe.com understands an announcement will be made on Monday.

Russell is a familiar face at LDM having driven the #3 alongside Andre Heimgartner in the Pirtek Enduro Cup last season.

Heimgartner has been in the running to retain his main game seat at the minnow operation but the 21-year-old has declared himself out of contention for the drive.

It appears the young New Zealander is likely to contest either the Australian GT Championship or Porsche Carrera Cup this year.

“I should have something to announce in the next couple of days,” Heimgartner told Speedcafe.com.

“I came pretty close to getting the Supercars seat. I had the budget but we have decide to go with another option which should be more beneficial for me.”

Dunlop Super2 Series organisers have confirmed a 23-car entry list for next week’s Clipsal 500 in Adelaide.

The series looks set for a competitive season with former winner Paul Dumbrell (Eggleston Motorsport) and the experienced Jack Perkins (Dragon/Image Racing) returning to the series.

Dumbrell will be joined at Eggleston Motorsport by Australian Endurance Champion Nathan Morcom and Formula 4 series winner Will Brown.

Meanwhile, Renee Gracie will partner Perkins and Matt Palmer at Dragon/Image Racing.

Reigning series winner Garry Jacobson is back with Prodrive Racing Australia alongside new recruit Josh Kean.

Matt White Motorsport will field a twin Nissan Altima attack for Jack Le Brocq and Shae Davies, and a FG Falcon for Bryce Fullwood.

Albury team Brad Jones Racing has confirmed a three car entry for young gun Jack Smith, Macauley Jones and Andrew Jones.

Garry Rogers Motorsport will run Commodores for Utes convert Mason Barbera and Richard Muscat while Todd Hazelwood, Adam Marjoram and rookie Brodie Kostecki will line up for Matt Stone Racing.

Kostecki Brothers Racing (Jake and Kurt Kostecki) and Paul Morris Motorsport (Anton de Pasquale) complete the field.

Entry List: Dunlop Super2 Series