Each year the V8 Dunlop Development Series grows and this year’s series is set to be huge with 30 entries confirmed for the opening round at Adelaide’s Clipsal 500. 

Ash Walsh is set to be a strong contender for the 2014 Dunlop Series. Image: Ash Walsh Motorsport

The Official V8 Supercars Series kicks off this week on Adelaide’s streets, with all eyes on the Dunlop Development Series, kicking off the season with 30 entries confirmed.

After last year’s stellar entry list including the names of Casey Stoner, Chaz Mostert, Jack Perkins, Dale Wood and Steve Owen, 2014 is once again looking to be a strong season and will also be a debut for many young and talented drivers.

One driver looking particularly strong for this year is Ash Walsh, who will be racing under Matt Stone Racing for the third year after picking up five race wins in the series last year, just missing out on the title.

Ford Performance Racing are also coming back into the series after a one-year absence, partnering up with young Cameron Waters in an Enzed sponsored FG Falcon.

Ex-V8 Supercar drivers will also make-up the grid again, with Paul Dumbrell making his way into the series this year, alongside Paul Morris and Taz Douglas. 

Erebus today also announced they will make their debut into the series, with their Erebus Academy driver Jack Le Brocq who recently finished third in the Bathurst 12-Hour race is set to make his debut into the series with Image Racing.

Adelaide-based team THR Racing Developments have progressed from the Kumho V8 series to the big stage of Dunlop Series, with Jordan Ormsby and Jay Verdnik the two confirmed drivers for the first round, with Josh Hunter and Matthew Hansen also making the jump from Kumho to Dunlop series.

Two Formula 3 drivers are also set to make their debut into the series this year, with Gold Star champion Tim Macrow to race with Gallagher Motorsport, and winner of Shannons Supercar Showdown, Todd Hazelwood, to compete under Matt Stone Racing.

Brad Jones Racing will also be another team to look out for, with Andrew Jones and Chris Pither set to steer their VE Commodores this year. 

Reigning Dunlop Series team MW Motorsport will once again be strong a three-car team including drivers Andre Heimgartner, Ryan Simpson and Morgan Haber, while Eggleston Motorsport will also be running a three-car team, with Garry Jacobson, Ant Pederson and Dumbrell behind the wheel.

The Dunlop Development Series have changed the format of the races for the season, including two 40-minute races and two 15-minute qualifying sessions. 

While the round opens at the Clipsal 500, teams and drivers will compete for the title across seven-rounds including Winton, Bathurst, Townsville, Sydney, Ipswich and Perth.

The drivers will first hit the Clipsal circuit at 1:20pm for their first practice session for the year.

Official Clipsal 500 Adelaide entry list

Written by Loren Hazelwood. @LorenHazelwood

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