Ominous race day signs as Brodie Kostecki builds
2024 Bathurst winner in sharp form in press conference
Kostecki qualified second behind Zach Bates
A laser-sharp Brodie Kostecki maintains he is “feeling pretty confident” in his #17 Shell V-Power Ford, while batting away questions over straight line speed.
While a record fourth consecutive Bathurst 1000 pole went begging, Kostecki delivered a fourth straight front row, the best streak in at least 25 years.
The 2023 Supercars champion has had a turbulent week, losing regular engineer George Commins to injury, seeing his car undergo an engine change before qualifying, and a transaxle change before the Shootout.
However, in ominous signs to his rivals, Kostecki appears as calm and collected as ever, while he backs his race car to be more than up to the task.
“I’m really happy with how the #17 has been handling across the whole weekend,” he told media after Saturday’s Shootout.
“Tomorrow is a long day, a lot can happen, and I’m feeling pretty confident about our race car.”
When asked if he was concerned about a straight line deficit in his Ford, Kostecki was sharp: “I don’t know. Just watch the TV tomorrow and we’ll see what happens.”
What about missing out on Bathurst pole, and record-breaking four-peat? “It would have been cool, but I'd rather have my name engraved on the trophy again,” he said.
“I've been focusing more on that than qualifying.”
As for feeling nervous about the myriad of car issues, he replied: “It’ll be what it’ll be.”
Kostecki and Hazelwood will shoot for a second win in three years from 11:30am AEDT on Sunday.
