Hughes Ready For Main Game Seat? We Think So...
The 21-year-old from Queensland excelled in the challenging conditions while driving Jobe Stewart’s Camaro, during only his third main game race.
Hughes began in ninth place and advanced through the field to reach as high as second during the initial stint, eventually taking the lead when Tim Slade encountered a major issue during a restart on lap 50. “These were the most difficult conditions I’ve ever raced in, and I’m sure many of the seasoned drivers felt the same,” Hughes explained.
“It was just chaotic. At Turn 10 under the first Safety Car, I nearly hit the fence going 30 kays an hour. At times, you were just along for the ride.
“When Timmy [Slade] had that restart, I thought he was going to crash hard. You’re driving straight, and the car feels like it’s bouncing off the walls.
“After the restart, I thought, ‘There’s someone ahead with a better start. I’m not leading.’
“They said, ‘No, you’re leading the race.’ ‘F***! Okay’. It was just unreal.
“The only reason I wanted to stop was because it was so nerve-wracking. But I was having a great time.” Erebus’ choice not to pit either of its Camaros during the second or third Safety Car periods allowed Hughes to lead 27 laps, creating a gap over Kai Allen and maintaining a significant lead over Chaz Mostert. However, this strategy also led to the team’s downfall as the car ran low on fuel while the track was still drying, forcing an early switch to slick tyres and resulting in a 14th place finish.
Nevertheless, the point was made. A year after Stewart’s breakthrough co-driving performance that earned him a full-time seat, Hughes made his own impression.
“I already knew I could do it, I showed that last year. But this actually gives me more confidence in what I say,” he concluded. “I could easily approach a team boss and say, ‘Hey, I’m ready, put me in, coach’. “But now I have some proof that in probably the toughest conditions we’ve seen in a long time, I can perform.
“It’s nice to have something to back it up instead of just saying, ‘Yeah, I’m good’.”
Hughes acknowledged the bittersweet feeling of boosting Erebus’ morale during a challenging season, despite missing a major result. The next goal is achieving that at the upcoming Bathurst 1000 and then seeing what 2027 holds. Hughes feels that a main game promotion would be a fitting reward for all those who have supported his career so far. “My family doesn’t have money, so the support from my backers has been immense, and it’d be amazing to repay them,” he said. “I know I’m ready, they know I’m ready, so if we can secure that seat, it would be a dream come true.
“I’m definitely not going to waste it. Many people have invested their time and money in me to get here, and I won’t ease up. “We’re going to go for it and aim to win, not just finish outside the top 20.” Erebus Motorsport has yet to confirm drivers for either of its cars next season, and there’s also uncertainty about line-ups at other Chevrolet teams like PremiAir Racing, Matt Stone Racing, and Team 18.
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