Fraser locked in at Tickford Racing
By Bruce Williams
Date posted: 10 January 2023
Declan Fraser will soon be confirmed as the replacement for Jake Kostecki at Tickford Racing after the team decided to end its relationship with Kostecki following an incident at the Supercars Gala Awards dinner last month.
While no announcement has come from the team itself, AUTO ACTION has learnt that Fraser was introduced to the team today (Tuesday) in a meet and greet at Tickford’s, Glenbarry Road, Campbellfield operations centre.
Until the issue with Kostecki arose, Fraser, the 2022 Super2 Champion, was without a regular Supercars drive this year. In addition to his series win, he also acquitted himself well at Bathurst when driving with Craig Lowndes in the Triple Eight Supercheap Auto wildcard.
Triple Eight Race Engineering boss Jamie Whincup told the assembled media at the Adelaide 500 that while Fraser was an important part of the team, they did not have a position for him and were open to him leaving should a good opportunity arise.
Declan Fraser impressed with a steady performance in the Supercheap Auto wildcard at the 2022 Bathurst 1000. Image: Mark Horsburgh/EDGE Photographics
“We have not signed him up for five or 10 years and we will not try and lock him or anything like that. Declan is a great kid, and we want him to do well.” Whincup said
Supercheap Auto was reported as offering some sponsorship support to Fraser for a Supercars team looking to run him in 2023. While a consideration – with Supercheap Auto having been part of Tickford’s program in the past, it’s likely that it will not be required, as the team currently has some support from rival retailer Autobarn.
Fraser’s elevation to the ‘main game’ Supercar series follows reports that Jake Kostecki was involved in a physical altercation with Scott Pye at the Supercars Gala Awards night presentation and was also heard blaming Tickford for his poor performances during the season.
Jake Kostecki steers his Tradie Tickford Ford Mustang around Symmons Plains Raceway last year. Photo by Mark Horsburgh / LAT Images
Tickford would not comment on the status of Kostecki’s contract with the team when contacted by AUTO ACTION on Monday of this week, but it is known that the team are very disappointed with the actions of the driver, who is halfway through a two-year deal as the driver of the Tradie Mustang.
In what has been a surprise externally, Zak Best was not considered for the drive after losing his Super2 seat with the Tickford in 2023, following a successful season where he finished a luckless runner-up to Fraser.
It is said Tickford is concerned about whether he is ready to take the next step in his career despite acknowledging his speed and driving talent. A pole winner during his wildcard run at The Bend, Tickford has retained him for the endurance races.
For more of the latest motorsport news pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION.
AUTO ACTION, Australia’s independent voice of motorsport
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