Matt Halliday aims high for enduros

New Zealand racer Matt Halliday is aiming high in this year’s V8 Supercars endurance races at Phillip Island and Bathurst.

After scoring a strong fourth place alongside Jason Bright last year at Mount Panorama, the 31 year-old Kiwi will pair up with James Moffat in the #18 Jim Beam Racing Ford Falcon.

This year will mark the Californian-based driver’s seventh visit to Bathurst.

It will be the second Queensland-based Ford V8 team that Halliday has driven for, adding to his Bathurst 1000 debut in 2004, driving with Mark Larkham.

Despite not having a full-time seat in any forms of motor racing this year, he is confident that he has found the right home alongside Moffat for the endurance races.

“It will be great to be back again for the V8 Supercar enduros following a strong run last year with Brighty which resulted in a rewarding fourth place and first Kiwi driver at Bathurst,” he said.

“Joining the reigning V8 Supercar Champions and driving as part of Jim Beam Racing with a famous name gives me every reason to believe we can aim for some very strong results at both Philip Island and Bathurst.

“Bathurst remains one of the world’s most historic motor racing events. With my continuing experience in endurance racing feel I can contribute to the team’s enduro campaign and also to Moff’s overall championship season.”

The L&H 500 Phillip Island will be held on September 16-18 followed by the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 at Mt Panorama on October 6-9.