EREBUS Motorsport has ruled Will Brown’s ZB Commodore crashed at Pukekohe will be repaired in time to race at the 2022 Repco Bathurst 1000.
While that in itself is good news, the domino effect is the saving of the high-profile Greg Murphy/Richie Stanaway Bathurst wildcard which had been cast into doubt.
Soon after Brown walloped the wall at Pukekohe Park Raceway in the opening stages of Race 28, it became clear that the Boost Mobile-backed Murphy/Stanaway effort could fall by the wayside.
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That’s because Erebus does not have a fourth race-ready ZB Commodore, meaning its third/spare chassis would have shifted to Brown had his usual EMH02 been unsalvageable.
However, Murphy spoke with confidence on this week’s Castrol Motorsport News podcast that the project would go ahead – and hopefully still within the Erebus camp.
Now, having sent EMH02 to Mount Gambier in South Australia where Erebus fabricator James White is based, it’s been decided that the car should make it to Bathurst.
“The guys have had a proper look at the car and we believe we can fix it in time for Bathurst,” said Erebus CEO Barry Ryan.
“We’ve got it to Mount Gambier and on the jig this morning, the whole rear of the car is getting cut off and we’ll replace it all.
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“Once it’s done, we’ll get it to paint and then back in the workshop and start to replace all the componentry and bodywork.
“Almost every tube in the back half of the car has either been torn, twisted or bent.
“Items like our gearbox, fuel tank housing, drive shafts and suspension components also need to be repaired or replaced.
“We knew there had been substantial damage, though you always find more as you start to pull parts and panels off it.”
Although Brown’s #9 Holden is unlikely to take part in a scheduled rookie test day next week, Ryan reiterated the wildcard will proceed.
“I couldn’t be prouder of our team; our guys are working around the clock to ensure we have three Boost Mobile Commodores at Bathurst,” he said.
“We are going to Bathurst with the goal to replicate our (provisional) pole position last year and go two steps higher on the podium, and we’re doing everything in our power to make that happen.
“It’s no different with the wildcard, and it will have been a long journey once it finally gets to Bathurst.
“Everyone wants to see Murphy at Bathurst one more time and we are excited to see how Richie goes in an Erebus car.”
