TWENTY years on from rocking up to Mount Panorama as a fresh-faced 21-year-old, David Russell is counting down to the biggest two races of his career.
For the third successive Supercars enduro season, Russell will team up with Erebus Motorsport’s Brodie Kostecki.
Only now, they are arguably the favourites to win the Sandown 500 and/or Bathurst 1000 – and there are two championships at stake.
Two-thirds of the way through the season, Kostecki and Erebus lead the drivers’ and teams’ standings each by 137 points.
Russell saw huge potential in Kostecki from the moment he signed on as his 2021 co-driver and is feeling confident in his own ability to contribute to the cause, having raced in Carrera Cup and GT World Challenge Australia among other bits and bobs this year.
“It has just been fantastic to see how he’s come on and developed and really taken on this Gen3 era,” Russell told V8 Sleuth.
“He has got a very good understanding of these cars and how he needs to drive them and also set-up wise.
“My headspace is obviously a very positive mindset. I think last year I was happy and comfortable within my role with the team and in terms of my performance, I think I was in co-driver sessions P2 to (Garth) Tander and in the race I was driving away from the main guys in the other cars.
“So I’m feeling good, I’m feeling comfortable and looking forward to the opportunity.
“I’ve had good opportunities before but this is probably the best opportunity.
“But as we’ve seen in the past, you get into some good positions and different things can happen, so we’re certainly not ringing the cabinet maker for anything at all just yet, that’s for sure.”
Russell knows that better than most, his Bathurst record including a race-ending collision with a kangaroo in 2013 and being taken out by then teammate Chaz Mostert in 2018.
The Kostecki/Russell combination has recorded top four finishes their only two previous starts together, and more success is crucial in the #99 driver’s championship hunt.
“It’s massive to play your part in something like that, but he has earnt the right to be in the position that he is in,” said Russell.
“All I’m going to do is support him so that he can do that, and support the team.
“It’s not about me in any way. I’m there to do my job that will hopefully give them an extended advantage for the remaining rounds in the championship.
“From my standpoint, Brodie is in a good position, I feel I am in a good position, I’m doing plenty of racing and I’m feeling fit and strong and really looking forward to some time in the car.”
Erebus ran both its Gen3 Camaros today at Winton and has kept one final test up its sleeve for the gap between Sandown and Bathurst.
“That puts us in a good space if there is anything to check and get comfortable with and just have some more miles in the car after Sandown,” Russell added.
Erebus yesterday rolled out its #9 entry for an evaluation day involving Super2 young guns Cooper Murray and Jay Hanson.
