ITS 2024 drivers might be elsewhere but Erebus Motorsport’s #99 entry and Chiko Camaro are a real shot at repeat Repco Bathurst 1000 successes according to Cooper Murray.
Murray is contesting the Ryco Enduro Cup with Jobe Stewart, while their predecessors Brodie Kostecki and Todd Hazelwood busily carry the hopes of Dick Johnson Racing.
Through various peaks and troughs in its trajectory, Erebus has consistently been a factor at Mount Panorama.
It won the 2013 Bathurst 12 Hour. Its second Great Race attempt netted a fourth-place finish for the Davison brothers, Will and Alex.
It famously conquered the Mountain in 2017 with David Reynolds and Luke Youlden, and went agonisingly close to backing that up the following year, when a young Anton De Pasquale put himself on the map via a super Top 10 Shootout lap.
Reynolds/Youlden were top five in 2019. Kostecki made his mark in 2020 by famously hustling Jamie Whincup into a race-ending error.
Kostecki/David Russell got on the podium in ’21, were fourth in ’22, and took pole position and second place in ’23.
Come last year, there was no stopping Kostecki/Hazelwood.
Todd Hazelwood and Brodie Kostecki are in DJR Shell colours this year. Pic: Supplied
“Erebus have a strong history at Bathurst: every time they go there they seem to turn it up,” said Murray.
“I love Bathurst as well. We had a good showing there last year with Craig (Lowndes) in the wildcard so looking forward to getting back there and having a dip.”
Erebus’ 2024 triumph came against the backdrop of a controversy-tainted campaign.
Twelve months on, Murray says he has “nothing to lose” given his lowly championship ranking and he indicated the team long ago set its sights on another run at the Peter Brock Trophy.
The Peter Brock Trophy. Pic: Supplied/Mark Horsburgh
“It’s the hunger to go and win it, that’s the thing. Like back at the workshop for at least half of this year, we have already been talking about making sure we’re best prepared as we possibly can be once we get to Bathurst to have the best chance we can,” he said.
“So I’m really confident going into this enduro season, especially teaming up with Jobe. He has been really quick at test days so I think we have got a real shot.”
Supercars’ enduro season begins next week at The Bend.
Jack Le Brocq and Jarrod Hughes will share the sister #9 Camaro.
Stewart and Hughes are the leading contenders to step up into the #9 full-time in 2026 with Le Brocq anticipated to rejoin Matt Stone Racing.