Erebus rookie Stewart to carry familiar colours for full-time debut

Erebus Motorsport rookie Jobe Stewart will have a familiar backer as he makes his full-time debut in the Repco Supercars Championship, with CHIKO set to adorn the #9 Camaro.

Stewart, a long-term prodigy within the Erebus Academy, truly announced himself to the Supercars world in Chiko colours last year, and will renew the partnership for two rounds this year.

The 2023 Super3 champion is set to run the Chiko colours at this weekend's DUNLOP Sydney 500 and the Repco Bathurst 1000, where he starred last year alongside teammate Cooper Murray.

This year, Stewart will be joined by former Super2 teammate Jarrod Hughes for the Ryco Enduro Cup, with Murray to be joined by former Tickford junior Lochie Dalton in the TotalEnergies Camaro.

“CHIKO has been part of some of the biggest moments of my career already, so to start this chapter together feels right," said 21-year-old Stewart.

"I’m really looking forward to getting to Sydney to kick off the season, it’s a great place to start, and having CHIKO on the car there makes it even more special.”

The livery, designed by Peter Hughes, is an update on the design Stewart and Murray nearly drove to victory at Bathurst last year, going within five laps of defending Erebus' 2024 Bathurst win.

Carly Hammersley, Erebus Chief Operating Offiver, added: “CHIKO feels like part of the Erebus family now. They’ve been with us through some of the biggest moments of the past few seasons, and it feels incredibly fitting that they’ll be alongside Jobe as he takes this next step in his career.”

“There’s a lot of belief in Jobe internally, and a lot of belief from CHIKO as well. This partnership is built on genuine connection, not just branding on a car.”

“CHIKO will also feature on the #9 car at this year’s Bathurst 1000, and we’re open to conversations with other brands who want to experience the same kind of exposure and engagement that CHIKO has enjoyed through its partnership with Erebus.”

CHIKO Marketing Director Eleanor Henry said: “Our partnership with Erebus has been such a positive experience, and being part of both the 2024 Bathurst win and last year’s incredible run is something we’re really proud of.

“Jobe represents the future of the sport, and we love that CHIKO can support emerging talent in a way that feels authentic and fun. The new livery is bold, it’s fresh, and it captures exactly what this partnership is about.”

Stewart will be one of five drivers making their full-time debuts this weekend in Sydney.