WAU announces new enduro line-up

Kurt Kostecki will join Walkinshaw Andretti United for this year’s PIRTEK Enduro Cup, teaming up with the driver who beat him to the 2019 Dunlop Super2 Series crown.

The 21-year-old replaces Jack Perkins in the team’s co-driver ranks, the latter having been announced at Milwaukee Racing last week.

Kostecki will partner Bryce Fullwood in the #2 Mobil 1 Middy’s Racing entry, while veteran Warren Luff stays on for a seventh season with the squad, now alongside marquee recruit Chaz Mostert.

Luff had previously partnered Scott Pye, the duo finishing runner-up in the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 in both 2017 and ’18.

The 43-year-old is a two-time winner of the PIRTEK Enduro Cup; a trophy Mostert also has on his resume, in 2017.

“It’s fantastic to be back with the team, alongside a new teammate in Chaz,” said Luff.

“There’s no doubt he is one of the top talents in the series, so I can’t wait to line up alongside him and see what we can achieve together.

“On the team front, we made some real ground towards the end of last year, so I’m confident that will continue in the early parts of 2020 and we can roll into the enduro season in a really strong position, fighting for trophies.”

Co-team principal Bruce Stewart sung Luff’s praises.

“Luffy is an outstanding talent and has done a faultless job in his time here, so we welcome him back with open arms,” he said.

Kostecki has raced in the main game in 2016 – as an injury replacement for Lee Holdsworth at Team 18 – and in ’18 as a wildcard entry, but this will be his maiden Enduro Cup.

It will also mark the first time all three Kostecki relatives will be on the grid at once, with brother Jake driving for Matt Stone Racing and cousin Brodie co-driving with Penrite Racing’s Anton De Pasquale.

“It’s a huge privilege to be joining Walkinshaw Andretti United this year for the endurance season,” said Kurt, who will also contest the 2020 Super2 season for Kostecki Brothers Racing.

“The team has already made me feel really welcome and I’m looking forward to sampling their car at the pre-season test day.

“Bryce and I have been racing together for as long as we can remember, so to be teaming up with him this year is very exciting and we will be pushing as hard as we can to run up the front.”

Added Stewart: “Having two young guns, who finished one-two in the Super2 Series is going to be exciting to watch.

“Kurt has been nothing but impressive in our dealings with him and we can’t wait to watch the next chapter of his career unfold.”

Both Luff and Kostecki will take part in the BP Ultimate SuperTest at Tailem Bend on Tuesday, with the South Australian track forming the opening round of the PIRTEK Enduro Cup this year.