Porsche Carrera Cup Australia champion Matt Campbell has been signed to co-drive with 2016 Virgin Australia Supercars Champion, Shane van Gisbergen, in the No.97 Red Bull Holden Racing Team Commodore in 2017.
Campbell made his Supercars debut last year at the three endurance events and impressed the field. Now teaming up with reigning Supercars champion van Gisbergen, he will be taking on the PIRTEK Enduro Cup with the six-time Bathurst 1000-winning outfit.
“I am so excited and grateful for this opportunity with the championship-winning team,” said Campbell.
“There is no doubt that it is going to be a big year, but after my debut in Supercars last year I do feel that I was able to gain the experience for what is required of me in this position. To be able to drive with the 2016 champ is pretty awesome.”
Red Bull Holden Racing Team Managing Director Roland Dane reckons the 21-year-old ticks all the boxes when it comes to co-driving with van Gisbergen.
“We’ve been watching Matt for a while now and have been super impressed by his speed and maturity driving a range of different cars, “said Dane.
“The chance to have such a great young talent driving with us this year was too tempting to pass up. Plus he was Shane’s number one choice to share his Red Bull Holden Racing Team Commodore. We try to give our drivers what they ask for.”
After a stellar first year with the team, van Gisbergen is looking to continue his momentum into 2017, already with his eyes fixed on bringing home the PIRTEK Enduro Cup for the second year in a row with Campbell by his side.
“Last year you could see that in every race Matt was fast and consistent, and that’s what you want,” said van Gisbergen.
“The enduros pretty much set up the championship. To have someone who is fast and doesn’t make mistakes is a no-brainer, especially when so many points are riding on it.”
Ahead of his Supercars co-driving duties, Campbell has been busy preparing for his first season competing in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup in Europe.
“It’s been quite a busy off-season readying myself for my first season racing outside Australia, keeping up my training for a big year ahead.”
Campbell will co-drive van Gisbergen’s Holden Commodore VF at the Sandown 500, Bathurst 1000 and Gold Coast 600 for 2017.