Kostecki reacts to first DJR Mustang laps

Reigning Bathurst winner Brodie Kostecki has driven a Dick Johnson Racing Supercar for the first time, with the Ford team completing a double shakedown in Ipswich.

Kostecki, the 2023 Supercars champion, joined teammate Will Davison in a double shakedown of newly-built Shell V-Power Fords at Queensland Raceway on Thursday.

The laps came a week after the team unveiled its new-look Shell V-Power livery, with DJR to join its rivals at the Supercars season opener in Sydney next week.

Under Supercars rules, teams are permitted to complete a 60km shakedown run with a new car, giving Kostecki and Davison early laps in their new cars.

As DJR took its shakedown slowly on Thursday, Matt Stone Racing driver Cameron Hill completed his new-car shakedown before lunch, with Anton De Pasquale driving his new Team 18 Chevrolet Camaro at Winton Motor Raceway.

Andre Heimgartner, meanwhile, got behind the wheel of his newly-built Brad Jones Racing Chevrolet on Wednesday at Winton.

“It was a great first day here in the Shell V-Power Mustang,” Kostecki said.

"It was great to get my first laps aboard the car, the car ran flawlessly for the whole day and the crew did a fantastic job.

“Today was just all about doing the laps and making sure that we don't have any issues going into next week.

“Very excited to be a part of the team and finally get into the first race meeting."

Kostecki will make his DJR debut in an Erebus Motorsport-built chassis, with Davison to drive an unraced PACE Innovations-built car in the opening rounds of the season.

Kostecki wasted no time getting his hands dirty, taking an opportunity to look under the bonnet of his #38 between runs.

"I got caught having a peek under the bonnet,” he laughed.

"I'm a very mechanically minded person, so I like to understand what's going on with the car… she's got plenty of ponies under there.”

Kostecki was also joined at the shakedown by Bathurst-winning co-driver Todd Hazelwood, with Tony D'Alberto to race alongside two-time Bathurst winner Davison.

“It's been great pairing up with Will Davison. He's got a wealth of knowledge and been around the sport for a long time,” Kostecki added.

“It was great seeing him jump aboard the car for the first time today and jumping out with a big smile. We've been having a few laughs together today, but it'll be all business coming up for the first round at Sydney.

"So we'll go back to the workshop tomorrow and have a debrief, and get stuck into preparing for the first round."

The full field will be in action for an official pre-season test at Sydney Motorsport Park on Wednesday February 19, before Thrifty Sydney 500 - Opening Round on February 21-23.

Tickets for the test day and Sydney 500 - Opening Round are available now.