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Kid in a candy store: Kostecki's first impressions of Tickford HQ

19 Jan 2022
'You can tell why the team has won races and championships'
3 mins by James Pavey
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Jake Kostecki has cited his first experiences at Tickford Racing as an "unreal feeling".

Kostecki has shifted from Matt Stone Racing to Tickford in the Ford team's expanded four-car line-up.

The 21-year-old joins incumbents Cameron Waters and James Courtney alongside rookie Thomas Randle.

Kostecki, who spent Christmas with his family in Western Australia, joined his new colleagues at the Campbellfield workshop on Monday.

There, Kostecki put on Tickford gear, introduced himself to team members, and was given a tour of the workshop.

It didn't take long for Kostecki to feel both at home and in awe of his new challenge.

Kostecki at Tickford HQ on Monday

"My first day at the workshop was a pretty bloody cool experience," he told Supercars.com.

"Walking through the doors into this massive facility, it was pretty overwhelming. So many new faces, and many more I need to meet.

"It was a great day to start, because it was everyone’s first day back as well, so they were all having a good time. They’re friendly people.

"Just by doing the tour of the workshop and all the different departments, you can tell why the team has won races and championships.

"Putting on the Tickford kit and talking to everyone was an unreal feeling."

Kostecki's run to 19th overall in 2021 was sprinkled with moments of delight, none greater than his top five in Darwin.

Kostecki finished fifth in Darwin last June

The move to Tickford presents his most competitive chance yet, with Cameron Waters helping the team to three wins last season.

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With an eye on Waters' rise up the ranks, Kostecki has set himself a goal of consistency and top 10s.

"If you look at Cam at the moment, he’s on his game," Kostecki explained.

"He’s been in the top four, week in, week out for the last few years now.

"If he’s doing it, then there’s no reason why I can’t learn off him and eventually be doing what he’s been doing.

"The team’s got the cred, the people and the resources. I’m here to learn off Cam and JC; Randle is a rookie too, but he’s bloody fast too."

A greater challenge, however, lies in the machinery, with Kostecki now armed with a Tickford Mustang.

2021 season in 14 minutes

Kostecki had been driving Triple Eight-build Commodores through his Super2 days to his arrival at MSR.

However, there lies his excitement, with Tickford running much of its own show in-house.

The only thing left for Kostecki is to extract performance out of himself, of which he believes he can achieve despite his relative inexperience.

"When I went to MSR, I had already been driving a Triple Eight Super2 car,” he said.

"Here, it’s a whole new car and whole new team for me.

"Tickford develops everything in-house, from motors to uprights.

"It’s a big deal for me, but I can’t wait to sink my teeth into it and learn as quickly as I can."

Kostecki will make his Tickford debut at the Repco Newcastle 500 in March. Tickets for the event are on sale now.

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