MARK Winterbottom has secured his Repco Supercars Championship future, not only for next season but also into 2024.
The 2015 champion on Friday signed a new two-year contract with Team 18, which now officially will take an unchanged driver line-up of Winterbottom and Scott Pye into the Gen3 era.
For a time, doubt lingered over whether Winterbottom might find himself on the outer, but he’s now all set to join Craig Lowndes and Garth Tander in the exclusive 600-race club.
“I think the future looks really bright for us,” Winterbottom said.
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“The car next year and the program and how it’s going to happen should really suit Team 18, so yeah, I have signed there to try to win.
“It’s going to be a great couple of years and hopefully successful, that’s the plan.”
Winterbottom, 41, has been with Team 18 since the start of 2019.
“I’m motivated, fit, hungry and I have won before so I know what it takes and I feel like Team 18 is on that path to success and I don’t want to miss out on that,” he said.
“I have put a lot of effort in to get there and I think the future looks really strong… it’s a journey and I’m not getting off it until we get to the front.”
Team 18 owner Charlie Schwerkolt described Gen3 as a “really big opportunity” for his organisation.
“Racing the Chevy Camaro will be a big thing for Team 18,” said Schwerkolt.
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“I really think (Winterbottom) will shine there for sure with the experience he has.
“He’s driven stock cars in Brazil and all that sort of stuff with less downforce and I think this is going to be his forte and I think Team 18 has really got a great chance to prove itself with this new generation car.”
Winterbottom is due to tie Russell Ingall for the third most race starts (588) in ATCC/Supercars history by the end of today.
