Five unresolved matters ahead of 2023

Little more than eight weeks remain until the 2023 Repco Supercars Championship starts in Newcastle.

With Gen3 debuting, it’s one of the most anticipated seasons ever — but there is still much to unfold.

Shakedowns and test days have been slated, and teams are edging towards unveiling cars and liveries.

Then there’s the grid itself, with one seat now up for grabs after an off-season split.

Kostecki replacement

The final piece of the 2023 grid puzzle was Cameron Hill’s signing with Matt Stone Racing — or so it seemed.

Just prior to Christmas, reports emerged of a potential split between Tickford Racing and Jake Kostecki.

That split was confirmed on Wednesday, with Kostecki leaving after one season.

Kostecki joined the Ford team from MSR at the end of 2021, and had a topsy-turvy 2022 season.

Super2 champion Declan Fraser has been linked to the team despite Zak Best — Fraser’s 2022 title rival — being on Tickford’s books.

Should either Fraser or Best fill the vacancy, Tickford will be calling up a driver with recent Super2 title fight experience.

It's the second time in three years Tickford has altered its line-up in January.

In January 2021, Lee Holdsworth was left without a full-time drive when Tickford downscaled to three cars.

Gen3 builds

The most significant ongoing story of the off-season is teams’ progress with their Gen3 builds.

It has been a busy summer period following the VALO Adelaide 500, with teams quickly shifting focus to building their new cars.

Some teams have already shared extensive progress — notably, Brad Jones Racing, Blanchard Racing Team and Penrite Racing.

Walkinshaw Andretti United has the biggest change of all, swapping General Motors machinery for Ford Mustangs.

There will be 14 Camaros and 11 Mustangs on the grid this year, and all will be tested before Newcastle.

The first shakedowns are scheduled for January 30 (Queensland Raceway) and February 1 (Winton).

All cars will then run at respective tests at Winton (February 7) and Queensland Raceway (February 9).

An all-in test will be held at Sydney Motorsport Park on February 22, three weeks before Newcastle.

The co-driver market

There was a bombshell prior to Christmas with Garth Tander shifting from Red Bull Ampol Racing to Penrite Racing.

As of this week, that is the only officially-announced co-driver for 2023, but even then, Tander hasn’t been allocated to a car yet.

The majority of enduro seats remain unannounced — but that is sure to change in the coming weeks and months.

Given Sandown’s return — there will be two enduros in 2023 — scoring a leading co-driver will prove crucial to a driver’s championship hopes.

Tander’s departure leaves a prized vacancy alongside Shane van Gisbergen, with a number of star drivers linked to the drive.

Holdsworth, who retired after 2022, has also secured a yet-to-be-announced co-drive.

Off-season miles

A number of Supercars drivers have already tried their hand elsewhere to prepare for the new season, and expect others to follow suit.

Notably, van Gisbergen and Cam Waters have turned to speedway to stay sharp ahead of Newcastle.

Anton De Pasquale will also make another start at the Dubai 24 Hour this weekend, having raced last year.

Drivers will also take part in the upcoming LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour, with van Gisbergen, De Pasquale, Broc Feeney and Craig Lowndes all confirmed.

Expect more names to be included in 12 Hour line-ups in the coming weeks.

Super2 state of play

The Super2 grid will look very different in 2023, with Gen3 cars eligible and new teams joining.

Notably, Walkinshaw Andretti United and Blanchard Racing Team have joined, with Tickford expanding to two cars.

Eggleston Motorsport has made some impressive signings as it looks to win its first title since 2014.

Brema Group Racing and driver Zane Morse also took immediate ownership of Cam Waters’ Mustang in Adelaide.

Image Racing is set to continue its alliance with Erebus Motorsport, while Brad Jones Racing and Matt Chahda Motorsport are set to return.

Jason Gomersall is also in line to debut his own team, having previously raced out of Matt Stone Racing.

MSR, Triple Eight and Grove Racing won’t take part in 2023 — and there is also a question mark over title-winning squad Matt White Motorsport.

Plenty more will play out before Newcastle — but it is shaping up to be an incredibly competitive Super2 season.

The 2023 Repco Supercars Championship will commence in Newcastle on March 10-12.

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