IT’S hard not to spot Jason Bonney in the Supercars paddock, thanks to a beard that can only be marvelled.
The 29-year-old has not been cleanshaven since he was 17, and that will now only change if/when the car he engineers tastes victory.
A Melbourne product whose father Max raced in Formula Vee and Group E touring cars, Bonney moved to Albury to begin his Supercars journey for season 2020 with Brad Jones Racing.
Initially that was data engineer on the SCT Commodore of Jack Smith, before stepping up to the Bryce Fullwood-driven #14 Camaro from 2023, operating under the watchful eye of veteran engineer Phil Keed.
Tony Woodward’s move in the most recent off-season to the Blanchard Racing Team opened up the chance for Keed to switch onto Car #8 (André Heimgartner) and for Bonney to become race engineer for Car #14, now piloted by Cameron Hill.
There have been ups and downs, both as the driver/engineer relationship grows and through the teething issues attached to the brand-new Toyota Supra package, but Bonney is relishing the challenge.
“Working with Phil the last few years on #14, he has really pushed me and gave me more responsibility to prepare for stepping up,” he told V8 Sleuth.
“New car, new driver, new role obviously comes with its challenges but I’m enjoying it.
“Like any new relationship, it takes time to get going. I think we’re in a good spot now working well together, talking the same language.”
Cameron Hill. Pic: Supplied/Pace Images
It’s fitting that Bonney’s beard status hinges on racing, given how he grew up around the sport.
“I’ve had a standing bet with one of the mechanics here: first race win we’d shave it. So he (Josh Mackie) shaved a couple of years ago in Taupō,” he said.
BJR mightn’t be the most dominant team in Supercars, but there’s no denying its tendency for driving a culture that encourages longevity.
Which is why Bonney is now into his seventh season there.
“Basically everyone moves to Albury to be part of the team, so everyone who is there is very committed to the job,” he explains.
Jason Bonney. Pic: Supplied/Pace Images
“So there’s not a high turnover of staff.
“A lot of the mechanics have been there for seven or eight years, or longer, and there’s just that sense of everyone gets along.
“Outside of work we all hang out together. Everyone is genuinely mates there. I think that’s a big part of it.”
Keed’s mentorship is not lost on him, either. One of the personalities of the pitlane, Keed is in his second stint at BJR and has previously worked with the likes of Ford Performance Racing, DJR Team Penske and Team 18.
“You look at the past data engineers that Phil has worked with, there’s quite a lot up and down pitlane that are highly regarded,” said Bonney.
Phil Keed. Pic: Mark Walker
“I think that just comes down to, like my experience with him – he’s not afraid to give up some responsibility to grow someone else.
“One of the things he’s always said is ‘you’re better off having two race engineers on the car than a race engineer and a data engineer’.
“One of his main things is growing the junior engineers, so he took me under his wing and has pushed me quite hard the last couple of years and with that, gave me more responsibility to prepare for stepping up.”
After a torrid Townsville 500, Hill and the #14 Supra will be looking to bounce back at the Perth Super440 in a fortnight’s time.