EREBUS SHINE IN TASSIE AS BROWN MOVES BEHIND KOSTECKI

The 2023 season of the Repco Supercars Championship has been all about Erebus Motorsport this year as the small Victorian team continues to punch above its weight. It was no different in last month’s Ned Whisky Tasmania SuperSprint as Will Brown starred with two victories and a podium while two podiums to Brodie Kostecki saw him solidify his Championship lead.

Although Kostecki kept the lead, his fast charging teammate reduced the overall gap to less than what it was before their visit to Symmons Plains – Brown moving from sixth to second in a matter of three races.

Starting on Saturday, Brown’s charge began with his second race win of the year when he converted his ARMOR ALL Pole Position to the victory.

Outside of an early attack from Jack Le Brocq, who started on the front row alongside him, and a late challenge from eventual runner-up Andre Heimgartner, Brown was never truly troubled throughout the race.

Heimgartner proved the biggest headache though as he made up three positions after starting from fifth, while reigning champion Shane van Gisbergen rounded out the podium having picked through the field after starting 10th.

The big drama to occur during the race was on lap three when Cam Waters' attempted pass on Kostecki at the famous turn 4 hairpin saw the latter hit the wall. In the same passage, Chaz Mostert and Broc Feeney both made contact on the hairpin exit and both drivers ended up facing the wrong way as a result.

Fortunately for both Kostecki and Feeney, they were able to eventually get back to the track and score valuable points.

Feeney would get his revenge on Sunday - dominating the first race of the day courtesy of a strong start that put him in contention before a perfectly executed overcut on Brown saw him get the lead at the midway point of the race.

From that point, the Queenslander was never challenged as he produced a stellar drive to pick up his third win for the season.

Rounding out the podium though was Kostecki and Brown after the two teammates enjoyed a small battle of their own – the West Australian getting the edge after a late pass.

Although Brown missed out on a runner-up finish, he wouldn’t have to wait long to get bragging rights as the Queenslander charged his way to a comfortable victory in the final outing for the weekend. van Gisbergen than had a shot of his own for the final podium place, but Kostecki held his ground and defended his podium place to claim much needed points.

A faultless run saw the 24-yearold snatch top spot from the polesitting Kostecki before being unchallenged for the rest of the race.

Kostecki meanwhile did his best to hold off a lightning quick Feeney, but the Triple Eight star couldn’t be stopped as he picked up second place with just 10 laps to go.

The Repco Supercars Championship continues later this month with the highly popular Betr Darwin Triple Crown at Hidden Valley Raceway on 16-18 June.

Race 10 Top Five

1. Will Brown

2. Andre Heimgartner

3. Shane van Gisbergen

4. Cam Waters

5. Scott Pye

Race 11 Top Five

1. Broc Feeney

2. Brodie Kostecki

3. Will Brown

4. Cam Waters

5. Will Davison

Race 12 Top Five

1. Will Brown

2. Broc Feeney

3. Brodie Kostecki

4. Shane van Gisbergen

5. Jack Le Brocq

Repco Supercars Championship Top 10

1. Brodie Kostecki – 784 points

2. Chaz Mostert – 684

3. Shane van Gisbergen – 648

4. Will Brown – 613

5. Broc Feeney – 564

6. David Reynolds – 533

7. Cam Waters – 523

8. Andre Heimgartner – 492

9. Will Davison – 463

10. Jack Le Brocq – 433