CHAZ Mostert’s road to the 2025 Supercars title included a hurdle that had only been overcome once before in championship history.
An engine failure took Mostert and co-driver Fabian Coulthard out of the Repco Bathurst 1000, leading to the iconic scenes whereby the Walkinshaw star downed a beer with fans.
Less than two months later, Mostert was crowned champion after outlasting Broc Feeney in a dramatic Adelaide Grand Final.
The double of a points-paying Bathurst 1000 DNF and a championship triumph had previously been a club of one.
That foundation member was Garth Tander, who coincidentally tasted victory in this year’s Great Race alongside Matt Payne.
It was 2007 that Tander became a Supercars champion, pipping Jamie Whincup by two points in a thrilling Phillip Island finale.
Brake dramas eventually rendered Garth Tander and Rick Kelly non-finishers in the 2007 Bathurst 1000. Pic: an1images.com / Justin Deeley
That success came despite a disastrous Great Race, in which Tander and HSV Dealer Team ally Rick Kelly were struck down by persistent braking gremlins.
Kelly and Tander had entered the race first and second in the standings, but each dropped two spots, before Tander got on a run to win five of the last 12 races to surge into the record books.
For what it’s worth, Mostert’s title defence next year will include another enduro campaign partnering Coulthard – but this time it will be in a #1 Supra rather than a #25 Mustang.
The Undercut – Unpacking the Grand Final drama!
The team return to break down all of the big talking points from Adelaide and season 2025