Chris Pither will race in this year’s Repco Bathurst 1000, securing a co-drive deal with Brad Jones Racing and Macauley Jones.
The Kiwi ran in the full 2020 championship in a Coca-Cola-backed Commodore with Team Sydney. The deal was only announced on the eve of the opening race in Adelaide, with Pither managing to finish 20th in the standings in his second full-time campaign.
However, Pither missed out on a contract extension with the team ahead of the new season. The outfit instead opting to sign Garry Jacobson as the driver who will partner Fabian Coulthard for 2021.
Forced to pursue a co-driver role, Pither confirmed that he would be returning to Brad Jones Racing yesterday evening. The 34-year-old will drive alongside Jones, who will run the Coca-Cola colours this year.
Pither spent two years in the BJR stables, racing with the team in the Dunlop Supercars development series, as well as gigs in the Pirtek Endurance Cup.
“It’s great for myself and Coca-Cola to find a home at Brad Jones Racing,” Pither said.
“I have enjoyed racing for the team in the past, so it’s good to be back on familiar grounds.
“I was aiming to drive full-time this season, but the right opportunity wasn’t available.
“Regardless, I’m grateful and excited to race the Bathurst 1000 with Macauley.
“I am also looking forward to attending rounds throughout the year representing Coca-Cola and working alongside Macauley and the BJR team so that when October arrives, we’ll be ready to go.”
“I’m looking forward to getting to work with Chris again and having him behind the wheel of #96 for the Great Race,” Jones said.
“We were teammates back in Super2 and get along well together. It’ll be nice to have him back with BJR and hopefully have a successful enduro race.
“It’s an exciting time for myself and BJR moving forward and I’m looking forward to what we can accomplish as a team. Having more involvement with the team’s day to day business has also been great to get my head around how it’s all coming together.”
Today, Jones will have his first opportunity to debut the fresh livery in an official pre-season test at Winton.
