Brad Jones Racing’s switch to Toyota for 2026 was recently announced, but it’s not the first time its eponymous team boss has been associated with a Japanese brand.
Entering motorsport through the height of the Group E Series Production era in the mid-1980s, Jones chose the Mitsubishi Starion to compete against the likes of Holden VK Commodore V8s, Mazda RX-7s, Ford XE Falcons, Alfa Romeo GTV6s led by Colin Bond and many other Japanese turbocharged models.
Peter Fitzgerald was the leader of the pack in his Starion and Jones received his opportunity thanks to ingenuity. It was a Pro-Am event at Amaroo Park and Fitzgerald had nominated Peter Hopwood as his co-driver, though this was knocked back of which Jones heard through promoter Allan Horsley.
This led to Jones and his father Phil pulling him off the road at Albury convincing Fitzgerald to give his son a driver leading to a deal being done for $5000. Getting the money was the next challenge, but it was secured and duo won the race.
Production Cars proved Jones’ next move as he bought a Starion himself under finance and this led to a connection with Kevin Bartlett, who was leading Mitsubishi’s local motorsport program.
The program was a disappointment due to Mitsubishi’s failure to quickly develop the Starion in what was a fast-paced Group A era.
Despite this, Mitsubishi was keen to grow its footprint across the Asia-Pacific region and this is where opportunities began to open up for Jones overseas.
Mitsubishi sent someone out to scout Jones unbeknownst to him at Amaroo Park, which went well as he ended up racing at Fuji alongside Bartlett.
Jones performed well for Ralliart Australia by placing the Starion in the Top 10 Shootout at Bathurst in 1986 and also finished 10th in 1988.
Further overseas opportunities came by racing in the All Japan Touring Car Championship in addition guest spots in a Mirage one-make series, with hopes for Jones to make the step up to Formula 3. Though this was unfulfilled.
A roll at Fuji in 1987 ended Jones’ international Mitsubishi career, with AUSCAR soon taking his attention.