Perkins' message for winner Kostecki
“Really good job.”
That was Larry Perkins’ simple, yet powerful congratulations to Brodie Kostecki after his standout Beaurepaires Melbourne SuperSprint weekend.
Kostecki claimed the Larry Perkins Perpetual Trophy after scoring the most points at Albert Park.’
The Erebus Motorsport driver outscored 2022 winner Shane van Gisbergen by just five points.
Kostecki (two wins), van Gisbergen and Broc Feeney shared the wins at the Grand Prix round.
Friday marked Kostecki’s first Supercars victory, and he backed it up on Saturday. However, his Sunday charge from 14th to third sealed the trophy.
Starting 14th, Kostecki started on Hard tyres, but was brought in early and kept pace with pole-sitter Feeney and Andre Heimgartner.
It became third once van Gisbergen and co. took their stops, with Kostecki third across the line ahead of Bryce Fullwood and van Gisbergen.
Van Gisbergen was promoted to fourth with Fullwood penalised, but Kostecki had done enough.
He then accepted the Perkins Trophy off Perkins himself, who had some quick advice — but also respect given his relationship with Erebus’ boss.
Erebus CEO Barry Ryan was a Perkins Engineering employee between 2003 and 2008.
“He just said really good job,” Kostecki told the Schick Cool Down Lap podcast.
“He had no idea who won the race, because where he got stored to give us the trophy, there was no TV.
“He was a bit surprised giving the trophy to me, but he was really happy knowing Barry was a part of it all."
Kostecki joins van Gisbergen, Chaz Mosterd (2019) and Jamie Whincup (2018) as Perkins Trophy winners.
The 25-year-old unseated Mostert as series leader, and heads to his hometown of Perth atop the standings.
For now, Kostecki is basking in a career-best weekend, but it was sharing the Perkins Trophy with Ryan that proved a highlight.
“It was pretty surreal crossing the line today,” Kostecki said.
“I was happy I got my first wins yesterday and the day before.
“But crossing the line third today knowing I was going to collect the Larry Perkins Trophy for the team.
“I was pumped crossing the line. That trophy means a lot to our team, with Barry's history with Larry.
“It was fantastic to be able to give it to him. He’s not really an emotional person, but behind closed doors, he probably had a smile."
