Hazelwood backing Erebus for strong NZ showing

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: April 18, 2024

Todd Hazelwood naturally wishes he will be racing at Taupo this weekend, but he is glad to see the champion return and believes Erebus will now be a greater force.

With Kostecki absent from the first two rounds, enduro driver Hazelwood received the call up to be the substitute in car #99 for the Bathurst 500 and Melbourne SuperSprint events.

He put in a solid effort at short notice, scoring three top 10s with a best result of sixth to be ninth in the championship, two spots ahead of Jack Le Brocq and around 50 points away from the top five.

Whilst Hazelwood had flown over to Taupo in preparation for a third drive and he will vacate the #99 for Kostecki to drive the #1, he always knew his job and is grateful for the unexpected drive.

“The mindset for me was always just taking it on a round by round basis,” Hazelwood told AUTO ACTION.

“Barry (Ryan) Betty (Klimenko) and the whole team at Erebus were very clear and very good to work with around the whole scenario.

“It was still a great opportunity because they were two rounds I did not expect I was going to do.”

Brodie Kostecki will be front and centre at Taupo. Image: Erebus Motorsport

However, the natural racer in Hazelwood does wish he was taking part in the Taupo Super400, believing the new track could suit the reigning champions.

“From a selfish point of view I was really looking forward to going to New Zealand because I think that will be a circuit that would really suit the TFH Hire Camaros,” he said.

“Both Jack and I have worked really closely together across the first two rounds and felt like we had just started to find our feet and get some good momentum.

“I felt like the first two rounds were probably two that I personally haven’t been as strong at.

“The hard tyre was a bit of a curveball at Bathurst and the Grand Prix was a track we struggled at more than expected.

“But I feel like tracks like Taupo and Perth are ones where the Erebus cars would be in their own element.”

Taupo Super400 schedule (all times AEDT)

Friday, April 19

Practice: 10.55

Saturday, April 20

Qualifying Race 7: 08.20

Top 10 Shootout: 10.00

Race 7 (60 laps): 13.05

Sunday, April 21

Qualifying Race 8: 08.45

Top 10 Shootout: 10.25

Race 7 (60 laps): 13.05

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Podcast: We’re going to Taupo… Tow Paw… Whatever. Supercars is back!

After a break that feels like months, the Supercars Championship is back and headed across the ditch to Taupo in the middle of the North Island. And yes, Brodie Kostecki will be there! As will the rain.

Somehow, the rain will also be in China for F1’s return to 中国. Philip Island was stunning on the weekend, just gone, if a little cold, but we chatted about whether Supercars should return to the land of penguins.

Plus, there’s more… all the news in the way only the Auto Action RevLimiter can deliver.

Listen to our latest episode on your podcast app of choice or here

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Hazelwood backing Erebus for strong NZ showing

“The mindset for me was always just taking it on a round by round basis,” Hazelwood told AUTO ACTION.

“From a selfish point of view I was really looking forward to going to New Zealand because I think that will be a circuit that would really suit the TFH Hire Camaros,” he said.

Taupo Super400 schedule (all times AEDT)

Don’t forget the latest issue of the free digital version of Auto Action is out now!

Podcast: We’re going to Taupo… Tow Paw… Whatever. Supercars is back!

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