Team 18 pounces on Luff for 2023 enduros

Team 18 has signed Warren Luff to partner Scott Pye for the 2023 Supercars endurance races.

Pye and Luff reunite, having raced together at Walkinshaw Andretti United between 2017 and 2019.

The duo finished second in the 2017 and 2018 races, with Luff also scoring podiums for WAU in 2015 and 2020.

Luff has been loaned to Team 18 by WAU, which announced Friday that it will not run an enduro wildcard.

In a statement, Team 18 also confirmed Michael Caruso will remain alongside Mark Winterbottom.

"I’m pumped to have Luffy onboard for the enduro races this year," Pye said.

"We've obviously got a good history together at Bathurst in particular. I have a lot of faith in his ability and when he is in the car.

Pye and Luff in 2018 Pic: Daniel Kalisz

"I feel very confident that he's the man for the job. I’m so excited to have him on board and I think for the whole team it's a great opportunity.

“Luffy is certainly one of my good friends and I guess that relationship began when we were first co-drivers and he's a guy that's loved up and down pit lane.

“You can't not get along with Luffy, he's certainly become a good friend of mine.

"It's exciting to go to Bathurst and do that race with a mate and feel like you have the potential of standing on the top step is very special."

The October 5-8 event will be Luff's 23rd Bathurst start, and first alongside Pye in four years.

“Having Luffy signed away now is a huge confidence boost and I think for us it's a great opportunity to get a result at both Sandown and Bathurst."

"I am thrilled to be reuniting with Scott Pye as his co-driver at Team 18 for Sandown and Bathurst this year," Luff added.

“We have great history together from our three years at Walkinshaw, and have great memories from the back-to-pack podiums in 2017 and 2018.

“I’d like to extend my thanks to everyone at Walkinshaw Andretti United for loaning me out to Team 18 for the enduros."

Team 18 owner Charlie Schwerkolt was excited to reunite with Luff, who raced with James Courtney at Dick Johnson Racing in 2010.

Back then, Schwerkolt was embedded in DJR before going it alone in later years.

“We’re really excited and what a great get to have Warren Luff come onboard with Team 18 for the enduros this year,” Schwerkolt said.

“I’ve got a bit of history with Luffy going back to ’09 and ’10 when he was driving with James Courtney back at DJR, I’ve known Luffy a long time.

“He’s a steady hand, and experienced operator and with Scott Pye’s speed and performance at the mountain I think they will make a really great combination."

The 2023 Repco Supercars Championship will resume at the NED Whisky Tasmania SuperSprint on May 19-21.

Tickets for the event are on sale on Supercars.com and Ticketek.com.

2023 enduro combinations (as of May 5, 2023)