Kostecki's farewell message to Klimenko, Ryan
Brodie Kostecki pays tribute to Betty Klimenko, Barry Ryan
Klimenko, Ryan instrumental in handing Kostecki first full-time drive
Kostecki, Erebus won 2023 championship, 2024 Bathurst 1000
Brodie Kostecki has hailed Betty Klimenko and Barry Ryan for kicking off his Supercars journey, as the outgoing champion ends his successful Erebus Motorsport tenure.
Kostecki signed off from Erebus with dual finishes of sixth at the VAILO Adelaide 500, continuing his strong end to this final season with the team before he heads to Dick Johnson Racing.
The 2023 champion won the Repco Bathurst 1000 and Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 finale, finishing fifth, sixth and sixth in the other three races.
In the final three rounds, only champion Will Brown and Broc Feeney (780 points each) scored more points than Kostecki's 765.
A 22-year-old Kostecki was handed his first big team co-drive alongside Anton De Pasquale at the 2020 Bathurst 1000, and he duly made waves with a stunning defensive effort that led to Jamie Whincup crashing out.
He scored a first solo podium at Sandown in just his fifth start in 2021, claimed a Bathurst podium at the end of the season, and kicked off 2022 with a maiden podium in Sydney.
Come 2023, and Ryan and Klimenko's decision to hand Kostecki an opportunity was vindicated by a brilliant charge to the championship, Erebus' first in its 11th season in Supercars.
Kostecki was a highly-publicised absence from the first two rounds, but after a circumspect return, the 27-year-old was a force in the back half of the season, winning his first Great Race to ensure he departs Erebus on a high.
Kostecki also managed to snag a souvenir on the way out, taking his seat insert to DJR, which will race Erebus-built chassis next season.
"I just want to thank everyone for the support for the past four years of being a part of Erebus," Kostecki said in a team video.
"I just want to thank you, Barry, for giving me my first opportunity to co drive with Anton back in 2020, and also for 2021 giving me my first full-time opportunity, and Betty also.
"Also to all the Erebus supporters, and everyone that's supported through my championship last year and this year.
"I've had a big four years, a championship win, and then a Bathurst to top it off. So it's been really cool, and I'll go into next year and Cooper [Murray] can take my seat."
Kostecki will make his DJR debut at the opening round in Sydney next February. Tickets for the February 21-23 event are on sale now.
