Erebus motivated by teams' championship lead

Leading the teams’ championship is an exciting feeling for Erebus Motorsport, says team boss Barry Ryan.

Erebus flew out of the blocks at the Thrifty Newcastle 500, with Brodie Kostecki pacing Friday practice.

Kostecki returned on Saturday and planted his #99 Coca-Cola Chevrolet on pole for Race 1, and came home fifth ahead of teammate Will Brown.

The two Erebus Camaros were promoted to third and fourth after both Red Bull Ampol Chevrolets were disqualified.

Come Sunday, and the one-lap pace disappeared — Kostecki qualified 15th, with Brown 17th.

However, the team turned it around in Race 2 with Kostecki racing to sixth, and Brown to 13th — the two drivers combining to gain 13 positions.

Through it all, Erebus — in its first round as Coca-Cola Racing — leads the teams’ championship for the first time.

“It was an encouraging weekend for us,” Ryan told the Schick Cool Down Lap podcast.

“The best thing is we’ve left here leading the teams’ championship, that’s pretty exciting for the team.

“Overall it was pretty good. Podium yesterday and fourth for Will, and Brodie drove up to sixth today from 15th. It was bloody good.

“We had a couple of issues in qualifying today, we have to admit we didn’t do a good job.

“Brodie proved that we should've been up there further, but we’ll fix that for next time."

The next stop on the calendar — Melbourne’s Albert Park — has provided peaks and troughs for Erebus over the years.

The team won with David Reynolds in 2018, but it was a case of rocks and diamonds for Kostecki and Brown in 2022.

Kostecki’s results read 14th, seventh, 15th and fifth, with Brown 17th, 23rd, 24th and eighth.

While happy with a clean Newcastle, Ryan reiterated the team wants wins, although Kostecki reiterated the team isn’t counting its chickens yet.

Regardless, Ryan said the positive attitude demonstrated in Newcastle was proof the team can deliver “sooner rather than later”.

“The number one trophy is the one we’ve gotta get, we’ve got to win some races” Ryan said.

“Hopefully that’s sooner rather than later. It’s a positive attitude at the team and with the drivers. That’s what’s driving us more than anything.

“As soon as you think you’re defeated, you’re screwed, aren’t you?”

The 2023 Repco Supercars Championship will resume at the Beaurepaires Melbourne SuperSprint on March 30-April 2.