Australian Supercars racer Alex Rullo will test with British Touring Car Championship outfit Power Maxed Racing next week, as the 17-year-old assess his options for next season.
Rullo became the youngest drivers ever in the history of Australian Supercars this year, when he entered the tin-top series at just 16 years of age.
Now, after just one season, Rullo is already looking to move on, having admitted earlier in the month that the BTCC was in his sights – despite being on the other side of the planet.
“It’s a long way to travel for one day, so naturally I wanted to test with a developing top team,” said Rullo. “I have thought long and hard about my options for 2018.
“The BTCC is an incredible series and could be the way to go for us in 2018, so when we contacted Adam Weaver and then he subsequently offered me the opportunity naturally I jumped at it.”
Rullo will test one of the team’s Vauxhall Astra cars at Brands Hatch next Thursday, with the Midlands-based team looking to move further up the grid in 2018 in its second season with the new Astra.
“Any testing days give us further information on the car,” added Team Manager Martin Broadhurst. “[They] allow us to start thinking about what kind of drivers we might want to bring in and set up required to help us get pole positions and hopefully therefore more podiums next year.”
Team Principal Adam Weaver wants to continue the team’s reputation of bringing in new talent, having signed rookie Senna Proctor for the 2017 season alongside experienced tin-top racer Tom Chilton.
“I am really looking forward to meeting with Alex and his family at the test, along with his Manager and to of course see how he gets on in his first outing in a BTCC car,” explained Weaver.
“People will know we are gaining a good reputation for bringing young talent to the championship, securing the Jack Sears trophy twice in three years, and maybe we can do it again in 2018.”