IT’S official: Bayley Hall will be the latest Supercars rookie to be taken under Craig Lowndes’ wing.
The Porsche Carrera Cup Australia frontrunner has been named as the other half of the 2026 Supercheap Auto wildcard program as it shifts from Triple Eight to Team 18.
Hall will race the #15 Camaro in a solo capacity at the Ipswich SuperSprint, for what will be his main game debut, before teaming up with Lowndes for The Bend 500 and Bathurst 1000.
“I have watched the Bathurst 1000 for as long as I can remember and every time I watched it, I have dreamt of one day becoming a competitor in this historic race,” said the 22-year-old.
“I can assure you I will be working harder than ever to be at my absolute best. I have to thank Charlie (Schwerkolt), Craig, Supercheap Auto and everyone at Team 18 and Chevrolet for generously giving me this platform to learn, grow and succeed.
“I have had the pleasure of getting to know Craig across the years he has commentated for Porsche Carrera Cup.
“Since I was six years old driving go-karts, Craig has been my biggest inspiration in how to handle yourself as a professional driver outside of the vehicle.
“If we don’t have fans in the stands we aren’t able to go racing and I can’t wait to be able to match his energy outside of the car and learn from one of the best behind the wheel of the Supercheap Auto Racing Chevrolet this year.
“To be racing in the Supercars Championship is a dream come true, but to be representing both Team 18 and Supercheap Auto Racing is an opportunity like no other that I will be taking with both hands.
“I have some big shoes to fill with plenty of successful drivers coming through the wildcard program and that is a credit to Supercheap Auto’s amazing initiative.
“I am also eternally grateful for my Mum and Dad teaching me important values and virtues of how to work harder and harder to make dreams become a reality. Additionally, I have developed an amazing network of financial supporters and fans across the years and I have them to thank as well for helping me stay on track to achieve my dreams.”
Seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner Lowndes welcomed Hall’s signature.
“The wildcard program has always been about identifying the right young driver and giving them a proper opportunity, and Bayley absolutely fits that mould,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to sharing a car with him, helping him through those first steps in Supercars, and hopefully putting together a combination that can surprise a few people.
“I’ve had a front-row seat to Bayley’s development last year through commentating Porsche Carrera Cup, and he’s genuinely impressed me.
“Round after round, he’s shown race craft well beyond his years, measured when he needs to be, aggressive when the moment calls for it, and always willing to learn. You can tell he’s a student of the sport, and that’s something I really like.”
Team 18 owner Schwerkolt expressed excitement at what will be the Victorian squad’s first time running three cars.
“The program has been a launching pad for some amazing talent over the years, and we’re proud to select Bayley as the next one to come through that pathway,” he said.
“He might be young, but he’s already built a serious CV. What he’s done in Carrera Cup here and overseas shows he’s got the speed, the work ethic and the right attitude to take the next step.
“Supercheap Auto is such a huge name in Australian motorsport, so to have that program running out of our organisation is a big moment for us. There’s a great energy around the place already.
“We’re still putting the finishing touches on the car, but it’s going to look sensational when it rolls out.”
Supercheap Auto head of marketing Emma Halasz meanwhile is making no bones about the bigger picture objective, even for a driver who at this point in time is yet to taste either the main game or Super2.
“We’re extremely proud of the program’s history, with four of the five previous wildcard drivers stepping into the main game the following year, and we’d love to make that five come 2027,” she said.