Kostecki relieved to survive hairy overtakes amid podium charge

Brodie Kostecki was relieved to reach the Repco Bathurst 1000 podium after a series of robust overtakes late in the race.

Kostecki and David Russell recovered from their shootout disqualification to finish third on Sunday at Mount Panorama.

It marked Kostecki's first podium in three attempts, and veteran Russell his first in 12.

It also helped Erebus Motorsport return to the Bathurst podium for the first time since the team's 2017 victory.

The #99 Boost Mobile Erebus Commodore ran in the top 10 for the majority of the race, despite the car being hampered by a long brake pedal.

It triggered an earlier than expected rotor change, but Kostecki and Russell pushed on.

Kostecki was seventh with 52 laps to go when he first muscled past Bryce Fullwood at Murray's Corner, before he muscled past Cameron Waters across the top.

He later pulled off an even more audacious move on Shane van Gisbergen when the champion-elect slowed due to a puncture.

Looking back on the risky overtakes, Kostecki was glad he came out the other side with a straight car.

"The car was awesome the whole day, and Russ did a great job as well," Kostecki said.

"Got put out of place by a few Safety Cars and had to race hard to get back up there.

"I shit myself with Cam there, so I was glad I came out of that one.

"Then the one with Shane."

Seldom do drivers attempt overtakes at Reid Park, but Kostecki leaves Bathurst having pulled off two in the one race.

While the risk was high, Kostecki knew he had to get them done, otherwise the podium would go begging.

"I look back [at the moves] now and it's pretty stupid," he said.

"But I had to do it.

"We wouldn't be sitting here because of it."

The result helped Kostecki end his rookie campaign ninth overall, one position behind teammate Will Brown, who dropped out of Bathurst contention early on.

While pleased with his season, which also featured podiums at Sandown and Sydney Motorsport Park, Kostecki lamented not having a car fast enough to challenge winner Chaz Mostert.

"Yeah, definitely," he said when asked if he was happy with his rookie season.

"We battled today with brakes.

"It's bittersweet, we didn't have the car speed to beat Chazzy."

The 13-event 2022 Repco Supercars Championship will commence in Newcastle next year. Tickets for the event are on sale now.

The 13-round draft calendar was released on Sunday.