EREBUS Motorsport has wasted no time in securing co-driver David Russell’s services for a fourth season, announcing a new deal for the 41-year-old.
Russell is one of the great late bloomers in Supercars.
Having first lined up in the Great Race 20 years ago, he has gone from watching the 2019 edition from the sidelines to being an in-demand enduro gun.
Russell and Brodie Kostecki’s Bathurst 1000 record together reads third, fourth and second… and they’ll have a chance to go one better next October.
“I consider Dave to be the best co-driver in pit lane so I’m really excited to continue working with him in 2024,” said Erebus CEO Barry Ryan.
“Brodie and Dave have proven themselves as one of the strongest enduro pairings on the grid and I have no doubt they’ll continue to be at the pointy end at next year’s enduro events.”
The #99 combination also finished second in the Sandown 500 last month.
“It’s a great feeling to be able to continue building on the last three years with Erebus and with Brodie,” said Russell.
“To know we will have that continuity next year coming off the back of a very strong endurance campaign is great and we definitely have some unfinished business.
“Myself and Brodie, as well as Erebus as a whole, have a desire to win races and that’s something that’s firmly on our minds as we go into the 2024 endurance campaign.”
Russell added his pride at how Erebus has evolved into a championship-contending force and said it was a simple decision not to look elsewhere.
“It was a bit of a clean slate for Erebus back in 2021 with two new main drivers and two new co-drivers joining the team,” he said.
“I’m so proud to be a part of Erebus’ journey and to have been part of that transitional phase as well as this year’s Gen3 introduction, it was a no-brainer for me to continue with the team.
“I really enjoy seeing Brodie go about his role as the main driver. He’s an incredible driver and it’s going to be great to continue our relationship and continue building off each other’s strengths.
“Our goal for next year, as it always is, is to win races and we’re both confident in our abilities to do that.”
Kostecki is in line to win his maiden Supercars title, carrying a 131-point lead over Shane van Gisbergen into the penultimate event of the season at the Gold Coast.
