Jack Perkins has emphasised the importance of qualifying as he prepares for this year’s Super2 Championship with Erebus Motorsport.

Perkins, who will also partner Will Brown in the enduro’s for the third year straight, will drive the Melbourne-based squads first ever Super2 entry.

Erebus will pit and work alongside their affiliate team Image Racing, after having an alliance with the junior squad for several years now.

“I’ve worked with Erebus for the past three years but I’ve also driven for Image Racing in the past so it’s all very familiar and there’s a lot of really good people in both teams,” Perkins said.

“It’s nice to have our team together and everyone working together to get the car out, it was all a very seamless dress rehearsal (at Winton) and it gives us a good idea of how we’re going to operate for the rest of the season.”

Perkins’ new role sees him transition from a co-driver to primary driver role within the team and last month’s pre-season test at Winton Motor Raceway marked the first chance to make what is familiar machinery his own.

“The biggest thing going from a co-driver to a primary driver role is qualifying,” Perkins said. 

“It’s certainly an area that as a team and as a driver, we need to focus on especially in Super2 and an area that I feel like has been a bit of a weakness in my career.

“As a co-driver, you don’t qualify and it’s a different approach to get the most out of the cold tyre, hopefully it’s like riding a bike and it all comes flowing back to me.

“We all know that if you qualify well, you start up the front which is super important to help avoid a lot of the carnage we often see in Super2.”

Heading into Newcastle, Perkins is looking forward to returning to the street circuit after three years and hopes to commence his season strongly.

“Newcastle is a typical street circuit. It’s dangerous, it’s fast and requires a lot of commitment, which is a challenge I really enjoy,” Perkins said. 

“I’ve definitely got a lot of experience in these cars and have raced at Newcastle a couple of times so hopefully some of my experience at the track will come into play.

“There’s also a lot of really good cars, drivers and teams in Super2 so I hope we can turn up with a nice, fast car, keep our noses clean and have a solid start to the year.”

Perkins will line-up alongside Erebus Academy drivers Jay Hanson and Jobe Stewart for the season opener in Newcastle next weekend.