Kostecki to make sensational Supercars return
Brodie Kostecki to return with Erebus in New Zealand
Reigning champion sat out first two rounds of 2024 season
Todd Hazelwood deputised for Kostecki at Bathurst 500, Grand Prix
Brodie Kostecki will make his Supercars racing return in New Zealand, Erebus Motorsport has confirmed.
Kostecki will undertake a test day at Winton Motor Raceway this week ahead of the upcoming ITM Taupō Super400 in New Zealand on April 19-21.
Todd Hazelwood deputised for the reigning Supercars champion alongside Erebus recruit Jack Le Brocq at the Thrifty Bathurst 500 and MSS Security Melbourne SuperSprint.
Erebus confirmed to Supercars.com that Kostecki will compete with the champion's #1 from this week's test at Winton.
"I'm excited to be back behind the wheel again, I needed some time away to prioritise my health," Kostecki said in a team statement.
"I'm grateful for the support, privacy and time Betty [Klimenko, team owner], Barry [Ryan, CEO], and the team have given me."
In the weeks leading to the Thrifty Bathurst 500, Erebus confirmed Kostecki would not race for the team at Round 1, with Hazelwood called up at short notice to race the team's Chevrolet Camaro Supercar.
Hazelwood returned for Melbourne, with Kostecki's title defence now officially resuming at Round 3.
Erebus CEO Ryan says the return of Kostecki, who won six races en route to last year's title, would be a "positive" for the team.
"On behalf of Betty and the team, we are pleased Brodie is ready to drive again," Ryan said.
"Having Brodie back to work alongside Jack as he becomes more familiar with our cars will be a positive for our entire team."
Hazelwood impressed with Erebus, driving to ninth in the championship standings after the opening two rounds.
The 2017 Super2 champion will be alongside Kostecki and the team at this week's test, before racing for the team in the enduros.
Shortly after the Erebus announcement, Hazelwood backed Kostecki in a social media post, and said he has his own "unfinished business" with the team for the enduros.
"A big thanks to Todd," Ryan added.
"He performed brilliantly under considerable pressure and scrutiny, so hats off to him.
"We look forward to having him at the test day this week and back in the seat for the enduros later in the year."
Erebus is fifth in the teams' championship standings heading to the inaugural Taupō event on April 19-21. Fans are encouraged to secure their ticket options, with Saturday and Sunday general admission and grandstand allocations exhausted.
