Kostecki honoured by Peter Brock Medal

Supercars champion Brodie Kostecki was “honoured” to receive the Peter Brock Medal at a special awards night.

Kostecki, 26, was on hand at Sunday’s Motorsport Australia National Awards, which was his first public appearance since confirmation he will sit out the first round of the 2024 Supercars season.

Todd Hazelwood will stand in at Erebus Motorsport for Kostecki at the Thrifty Bathurst 500, which will open the new season next weekend.

Kostecki was acknowledged for his 2023 Supercars title win and accepted the Australian Touring Car Championship, before winning the prestigious Peter Brock Medal.

The Brock Medal is awarded to a driver "who has shown similar characteristics to the late Peter Brock AM”, recognising "outstanding driver ability and commitment to the positive endorsement of motorsport within the greater community."

It was the second year running that the award was won by a Supercars driver, with Thomas Randle the victor in 2022. The likes of the late Jason Richards (2011), Craig Lowndes (2012), Will Brown (2017) and Anton de Pasquale (2018) were previously honoured.

“I'm truly honoured to receive the Peter Brock Medal, and I want to thank the voting panel and the Brock family in particular for this privilege,” Kostecki said in his speech.

“This award was created with the intent to help promote the ideals and passions that helped make Peter Brock a legendary household name in this country.

“While we all know how good he was as a race car driver, my understanding is that this award was created to highlight Brocky's passion for the sport, his camaraderie for his fellow competitors and his unwavering relationship with the fans.

“When you understand those criteria, it takes the meaning of winning this award to a whole new level.”

Kostecki claimed six wins and 10 poles — both season-high hauls — en route to the 2023 championship.

In his speech, Kostecki said he looks forward to "being a contributor to Australian motorsport, on and off the track for many more years to come”, and also what the future holds.

He added: “I didn't have set goals or trophies that I particularly wanted to win. I just wanted to be a racer, work as hard as I possibly could, and hope everything was rewarded in the end.

“The people that are closest to me know that I'm full throttle 100 per cent of the time, always trying to be well ahead of the curve.

“Tonight, as I stand here, I realise how important it is to now pause and reflect on the journey.

“Sometimes, in the pursuit of our goals, we forget to appreciate the little things or make choices or even surround ourselves with people that affect our path, goals or dreams that we've devoted our whole life to set out and achieve.

“I'm truly thankful for the support and advice I have received from so many people, team members and sponsors along the way.

“It is also about standing up for what you believe in, just like many have done before me."

It was a major night for Supercars names, with Dick Johnson named the 2023 Member of Honour, and 2014 Bathurst winner Paul Morris awarded Life Membership.

Incoming Blanchard Racing Team rookie Aaron Love, meanwhile, was named the Young Driver Of the Year.