Fast-learning drivers pushing Erebus forward

Will Brown and Brodie Kostecki’s ability to get on top of their new Gen3 Camaro has impressed Erebus Motorsport boss Barry Ryan.

Brown and Kostecki will form Erebus’ driver line-up for a third straight season in 2023.

Both drivers got to grips with Erebus’ new Gen3 Camaros in quick time, and both were in the top three by the end of last week’s Sydney test.

It came as Erebus ran to its own program, having shaken down both cars the week prior.

With the Thrifty Newcastle 500 just nine days away, Ryan is confident his drivers are well-placed for the start of the new era.

“Both Will and Brodie are excited by the cars, they like driving them,” Ryan said in a team video.

“It’s totally different to the old car — but they’re both good drivers.

“They’ve just adapted within laps of going out the gate, they’ve adapted pretty quickly.

‘The engineers have done a fantastic job to get the cars set-up in a window already.

“We think we can translate to each track, trying to make the car work out the gate instead of getting to Sunday and trying to tune the car.”

Between them, Brown and Kostecki combine for 60 round starts and 145 race starts.

However, both drivers have proven — in their two years as full-time drivers — they aren’t intimidated by the challenge of racing at the front.

Notably, Brown held off both Triple Eight drivers to win in Sydney in 2021, while Kostecki battled for the Bathurst podium two years in a row.

Brown's Sydney win remains Erebus' most recent victory, although both drivers scored silverware in 2022.

Where Erebus is in the pecking order remains to be seen, with Ryan highlighting how Ford teams didn’t show their full hand at the Sydney test.

Regardless, from what he’s seen so far, Ryan believes his team — which will carry Coca-Cola naming rights in 2023 — is in a solid position.

“Credit to the whole team they way we’ve built the cars,” he said.

“On track so far we’ve been really good, really strong.

“It’s hard to tell with Ford — they’ve got a few sandbags in the boot at the moment.

“It's difficult to tell where we are, but both test days, we’ve been really competitive.”

The 2023 Repco Supercars Championship will commence at the Thrifty Newcastle 500 on March 10-12.

Tickets are on sale on Supercars.com and Ticketek.com.