Erebus Academy has given seven young drivers the opportunity of a lifetime, with the chance to test one of the team’s race cars at Winton Motor Raceway.

The test took place yesterday and saw Academy drivers Jaylyn Robotham, Jay Hanson, Reef McCarthy, Jobe Stewart, and Bailey Sweeny joined by reigning Queensland Formula Ford Champion Cameron McLeod and TCR New Zealand Touring Car Championship runner-up Jordan Michels.

Using the team’s Mercedes-powered ZB Holden Commodore bodied “Mercodore” each driver completed three sessions across the day, plus passenger-seat-time alongside Erebus co-driver Jack Perkins.

“Yesterday was something we have wanted to do for a long time and a great opportunity to give these young drivers the chance to drive a Supercar,” Erebus CEO Barry Ryan said.

“They all acted professionally and for drivers who hadn’t done a lot of driving anything like a Supercar, they all did a great job.

“Each of them has a future in Supercars if they can find the right opportunities.”

For Robotham and Hanson, it was an opportunity to get extra seat time alongside their scheduled test day with Terry Wyhoon’s Image Racing next door.

Meanwhile it was a first for Toyota 86 Series competitors Stewart and Sweeny, along with Michels and McLeod who completed rookie laps.

Fellow Toyota 86 campaigner and Academy racer Harrison Gray unfortunately couldn’t make the day due to work commitments.

Coached by Perkins and joined by Ryan and Erebus engineers and mechanics, the next-generation racers focused on fundamental driving skills.

“For some of these drivers, yesterday was the first time they had ever been in a tintop, let alone a Supercar,” Ryan continued.

“It’s a great addition to their resumes and really important for these young guys to get some experience behind the wheel of a Supercar and for teams to know they have the experience and are capable.

“We can serve as a reference which is a massive advantage for these kids to be able to say that.

“We’d love to take on all of these talented drivers but that’s not possible so to at least give them an opportunity that we know will benefit their career, wherever they end up, is really important to us.”

Understanding the importance of fostering young motorsport talent, Ryan says he is looking forward to giving more young drivers an opportunity in the future, as the Erebus Academy continues to develop.