THE coveted #1 will appear on a Supercar at this month’s Thrifty Bathurst 500, but not at main game level.
Erebus Motorsport somewhat controversially ran the #1 at Winton this week, where it completed new-car shakedowns on Tuesday followed by full pre-season testing on Wednesday.
During competition, the #1 is reserved in Supercars for the previous season’s champion driver – in this instance, Brodie Kostecki.
While breaking no rules, Erebus caused a stir in some quarters by its use of the number during testing given the fact Kostecki was not in the car and is unlikely to drive it at all this season.
He’ll be replaced, at least for Round 1, by Todd Hazelwood who will move to another number for the Bathurst 500.
But that doesn’t mean there won’t be a #1 Supercar at Mount Panorama.
That will be provided by the Dunlop Super2 Series, in which Kai Allen will this year vie to become the category’s first back-to-back champion.
Unable to secure a graduation to the top tier just yet, Allen is back with Eggleston Motorsport and admitted there had been some debate around donning the #1 or retaining his beloved #26.
An answer has emerged; Allen’s Eggleston ZB Commodore sported the #1 during Winton testing and it’s expected to stay that way come the February 23-25 season-opener.
Only two drivers in Super2 history have previously used the #1: Paul Dumbrell and Garry Jacobson.
On top of his Eggleston duties, Allen will co-drive with Dick Johnson Racing’s Will Davison in the 2024 Sandown 500 and Repco Bathurst 1000.
Eggleston will also run Super2 cars for Cooper Murray and Jordyn Sinni again this year.
