FORMER Walkinshaw protégé Matt Hillyer will continue his Super2 journey this year after inking a deal with Brad Jones Racing.

Having won the 2023 Australian Formula Ford title and then starred in Toyota 86s, Hillyer last year graduated to Super2.

However, WAU’s decision to step back from Supercars’ feeder series had cast doubt over his immediate future.

While his 2025 teammate Campbell Logan was quickly snapped up by Tickford Autosport, silence had surrounded Hillyer’s prospects… until now.

Hillyer will sport the #2 on his BJR ZB Commodore, and he will count race-winning incumbent Brad Vaughan as his new ally.

“I’m excited to bring Matt into our Super2 line-up,” said team owner Brad Jones.

“What he’s achieved so far in his young career is remarkable and he has such a strong work ethic which makes him such a formidable asset for our team.

Pic: Supplied

“We’re also very pleased to have Brad back for another year, he hit a lot of our targets in 2025 and we built a very strong platform with him.

“Seeing Brad win in Adelaide, at his home event in such a dominant way was incredible and a testament to him and our Super2 program.

“I believe we have a really strong line-up for this year and we’ve shown we have the capability to go out there, win and chase the championship.”

Vaughan finished 2025 as the top Super2 driver outside of the Tickford quartet. BJR is yet to confirm if Vaughan will be retained as part of its Repco Supercars Championship enduro roster.

“It’s awesome being back with the team for another season,” said the South Australian 21-year-old.

“At the end of last year everything really clicked in the squad and I’m excited to see what we can build this year.

“I want to say thank you to Brad for his belief, he’s great to work with and a true racer, so your feedback gets heard. Thank you also to my supporters.”

“It took six rounds for us to build up to that win, so hopefully that means we can hit the ground running in Sydney and really start with a bang.”

Brad Vaughan celebrates Super2 pole at Ipswich. Pic: Supplied/Pace Images

Hillyer, who effectively replaces Cody Gillis, was equally upbeat about what’s ahead.

“Thank you to Brad and the team for bringing me onboard for this year, I’m really excited to get to work with the crew there,” he said.

“I’ve taken a lot of learnings and experience from last year and while there’s a new circuit added to the calendar, which will be a cool challenge but there in Darwin, I’m still going into this year with a lot more knowledge and understanding.

“BJR has a lot of support in their Super2 program and last year they were able to get some really awesome results, so I’m very keen to keep building on that.

“I have to also thank my parents for everything over the years and all of my amazing supporters of mine. Big thank you to Kangan Institute for taking me from an Apprentice Mechanic up through and into Super2. Also to all my other partners; Lloyds Auctions, Wash It Australia, Mentone pre mix, AGJ Cartage, Super Spill and Safety Solutions, and Boswen.”

The Super2 season will open next month at Sydney Motorsport Park.

Hillyer and Vaughan make for 10 officially confirmed 2026 Super2 drivers thus far, following Logan, Ben Gomersall, Reuben Goodall and Nash Morris for Tickford; Zak Best and Ryan Tomsett for Anderson Motorsport; and Ayrton Hodson and Tommy Smith for Matt Stone Racing.

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