THE major sponsor which backed Erebus Motorsport to its maiden Supercars championship has confirmed it has parted ways with the team ahead of the 2024 season.
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners took naming rights sponsorship on both Erebus Camaros last year, a situation which had been expected to continue into this season.
However, it will be a new-look Erebus outfit that heads to Winton for pre-season testing this week after a series of dents to its title defence preparations in the past seven days.
It’s been confirmed Brodie Kostecki will not contest Round 1, and it’s widely anticipated that he’s driven his last race for Erebus following a breakdown in relations.
Sponsors Shaw and Partners, and Southern Cross Truck Rentals have publicly confirmed they’ve split with Erebus, a stance which CCEP has now also taken.
“After careful consideration, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners has made the difficult decision to end the company’s partnership with Erebus Motorsport, effective immediately,” a Coca-Cola Europacific Partners spokesperson confirmed.
“We wish Erebus Motorsport and the drivers every success for the 2024 season and beyond.
“This decision relates only to our partnership with Erebus Motorsport and does not affect other existing agreements we have with the Australian Supercars Championship and Australian motorsport more broadly.
“We have a long and proud history of supporting Australian motorsport spanning more than 50 years and look forward to building on this through our existing and future partnerships in the sport.”
Coca-Cola had previously taken naming rights on the ZB Commodores of Chris Pither (Team Sydney in 2020, PremiAir Racing in 2022) and Macauley Jones (Brad Jones Racing in 2021).
Erebus has subsequently offered members the choice of a full refund.
With Will Brown having already been released from his contract a year early in order to join Triple Eight, Erebus’ 2024 driver line-up now is Jack Le Brocq in the #9 and Todd Hazelwood in the #99.
MORE: Hazelwood opens up on sudden Erebus chance
Erebus is set to be one of two Victorian teams sporting a plain black livery at Winton this week, with the other being Tickford Racing as it prepares to launch its 2024-spec Monster Energy and Castrol Mustangs.
Prior to the full test on Wednesday, Erebus will shake down both of its new Camaros tomorrow.
