Australia’s Dunlop Super2 Supercars series will welcome one of the world’s highest profile female racers to the grid this weekend, after Abbie Eaton secured the support of Australia’s premier industrial equipment and safety supplier, Blackwoods.
Ms Eaton will make her debut in Matt Stone Racing (MSR)’s VF Commodore at the Superloop Adelaide 500.
The 27-year-old Test Driver from the hit series, The Grand Tour will complete the team’s Super2 line-up with support from Blackwoods and MIS Motorsport Insurance.
She will be joined by experienced Supercars racer Ash Walsh and Aussie Racing Cars Champion Joel Heinrich in an expanded three car MSR Super 2 attack.
Matt Stone Racing won the Series previously in 2017 with Todd Hazelwood.
Blackwoods’ support for Eaton expands its existing Supercars investment to Super2, reinforces its support of women in motorsport and commitment to diversifying the nation’s trades workforce.
Nick Severino, Group General Manager, Merchandising at Blackwoods said: “We welcome Abbie to Australia and are really enthusiastic about the role she can play in promoting diversity in sport and industry.
“We’re genuinely proud that our support has helped deliver her career dream of a Supercar drive on our shores and we’ll be right behind her.”
Eaton – a two time British Champion – is from Yorkshire, England, but now based in Newcastle, NSW. Her global following has grown exponentially through the current series of The Grand Tour where on occasion she competes with Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May in their automotive challenges.
“It has been an incredible process since arriving here in Australia back in November to finally say that we’re on the grid in Adelaide!” Eaton said.
“We’ve been working day and night since June last year to make this a reality and to get the deal done on Saturday morning was surreal, but it is a dream come true.
“The MSR team have been fantastic in their support, as have the team at Supercars with their encouragement and interest in getting me to Adelaide. I can’t thank Blackwoods and MIS Motorsport Insurance enough for supporting me to be on the grid.
“Blackwoods are such a well-recognised brand among industrial suppliers in Australia and have been a strategic partner with MSR for some time, so I’m really happy to be representing them and their 60 stores around Australia.
“We’ve also got a great opportunity, through Blackwoods inclusive programs, to engage female tradespeople, which are strong in numbers across Australia.
“I’ve watched many a race from the Adelaide 500 and of course the Formula 1 days over the years and it is one of the most talked about events internationally.
“After having the two tests in December I know what I need to work on and how to get the best out of a Supercar. It’s just a case of doing that whilst learning another new circuit. This year I’m focussing on learning the circuits and if I can snatch a podium or two out of it then that will be fantastic.
“Matt and his team are specialists when it comes to the Super2 Series and with their expansion to three cars, along with Todd in the ‘main game’ and their Championship winning historical data, there will be plenty of data to compare, work through and establish a baseline.
“While I’m excited and thrilled that this has come together, it’s now down to work. I’ll be giving it my all throughout the weekend and doing what we can to repay the faith shown in me and ensure we’ll be on the grid for the rest of the season!”
