Le Brocq links with winning engineer for Bathurst

Erebus Academy driver Jack Le Brocq has received a boost ahead of the highly anticipated Dunlop Series mini-enduroat Bathurst - he will pair with former Dunlop Series titile-winning engineerNathan Leech for the 250km feature event.

Leech - who isHead of Design and Manufacture at Erebus Motorsport V8 and has worked at Erebus Motorsport, formerly Stone Brothers Racing, since 2000 - engineered ScottMcLaughlin to his 2012 Dunlop Series win, beforehe progressed to take V8 Supercars by storm.

Currently driving an ex-Stone Brothers Racing FG Falcon, owned and operated by Terry Wyhoon's Image Racing, Le Brocq, withLeech, has ramped up his preparations for Bathurst with a test day lastweek at Winton.

"With the limited amount of time that Jack has had in a Supercar, he is coming along really well, and is outperforming a lot of drivers who have been driving Supercars for a while, so given his limited time in the seat, he's doing really well," said Leech.

"We spent Monday at the workshop before we headed to Winton on Tuesday where we had a really good day, and got through quite a lot, including some more procedural-based things that we'll need to do at the Bathurst round, so it was all very promising."

As a member of the Erebus Academy since March 2013, Le Brocq has earned opportunities such as driving the Erebus Motorsport GT SLS AMG GT3 in the Australian GT Championship in 2013 and 2014 (co-driver role), and also in the 2014 Bathurst 12-Hour race, where he finished on the podium alongside co-drivers Will Davison and Greg Crick.

"I've been a member of the Erebus Academy for over a year now and I've been given some fantastic opportunities like driving the SLS, and being supported in my Dunlop Series drive this year," said Le Brocq.

"To have this extra support for the 250km race at Bathurst is very exciting, especially as Nathan has a lot of experience with the Development Series.

"We've already had some great results this year with Image Racing, especially at Barbagallo and Ipswich, but all Supercars are just a bit different, and to have Nathan on board with his experience and knowledge, having worked with the FG Falcon when it was with Stone Brothers Racing, further strengthens our package for Bathurst.

"It will be great for me and also for Image Racing, and everyone is really looking forward to working together to see what we can do."

Leech will continue to work with Le Brocq and Image Racing in the lead up to Bathurst where the Erebus Motorsport V8 crew will also assist with the compulsory pit stop during the 41-lap Dunlop Series race.

"I've kept an eye on Jack, especially with his GT racing, and even with his experience in the SLS at Bathurst, it's a very unique circuit so more than anything we'll need to ensure that Jack has a lot of seat time in the Supercar around there, and then solidly set up a fast car," said Leech.

"But the priority will be getting him to adapt to driving the circuit in a Supercar, so the goal is to get him to do as many laps as he can before the race, so he's comfortable in the car."

Erebus Motorsport General Manager Barry Ryan has overseen Le Brocq's progress through the Erebus Academy and is confident that with the additional resources provided, the 22-year-old will have a strong Bathurst weekend, and more importantly continue his career progression.

"Given this is Jack's first year in a Supercar he has had some great results with Image Racing, and having personally provided engineering support where possible, I have seen Jack develop a lot as a driver," said Ryan.

"As part of Jack's participation in the Erebus Academy, we wanted to provide this mentorship to further support him, and with Nathan's great experience with the car and the category this is the perfect situation to use the Development Series expertise within Erebus.

"As Jack progresses through the Academy program we hope to continue assisting him, and other young drivers, with all aspects of their racing."