Erebus recruit Perkins pumped by 'good environment'

Jack Perkins is excited to make the shift to Erebus Motorsport alongside Will Brown for the 2021 Repco Bathurst 1000.

Perkins was confirmed alongside Brown to co-drive the #9 Erebus entry at October's Great Race.

The 34-year-old clinched a maiden Bathurst podium alongside James Courtney for Walkinshaw Andretti United in 2019.

Perkins competed alongside Jack Smith for Brad Jones Racing last year, and impressed before a tyre failure with Smith behind the wheel ended their day.

He has worked with Brown before, with the duo teammates at Eggleston Motorsport in the Dunlop Super2 Series.

Perkins has also previously worked with team CEO Barry Ryan, who was part of the Perkins Engineering fold for six years.

Ahead of a new start with Erebus, Perkins was keen to lead young gun Brown, who enters his maiden season as a full-time Supercars driver.

"I've had great success at endurance races in the past and Bathurst is the one that we all want to win," Perkins said.

"Having experience as a main driver means I can do everything I need to do as a co-driver but also help support Will in his first Bathurst as lead driver.

"We have worked together before and helped push each other along, and I think it's going to be a really good environment with Brodie and Dave as well."

The team also recruited the experienced David Russell, who will combine with Brodie Kostecki on the mountain.

The 39-year-old combined with Garry Jacobson for Matt Stone Racing last year, but engine dramas forced them out of the race early on.

Russell, a veteran of 11 Bathurst starts, believes he can help Kostecki make the transition from co-driver to main driver.

"In my experience as a co-driver, it's important to keep the main driver calm and progressing so that we're working on the race car for the race day rather than a particular point in the weekend," Russell said.

"It's not about a particular lap in a session, it's about where you finish on Sunday afternoon.

"I'm really excited about teaming up with Brodie and Erebus, and we're in a good position to have a good shot this year."

Perkins and Russell will be present for official pre-season testing at Winton on Friday.

They will make their debuts for Erebus at October's Repco Bathurst 1000.

Tickets are on sale now for the season-opening Repco Mt Panorama 500.