Whincup welcomes back Kostecki rivalry

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: April 18, 2024

Triple Eight Race Engineering Team Principal Jamie Whincup is looking forward to resuming the rivalry with Brodie Kostecki and the new challenge of Taupo.

Round 3 of the 2024 Supercars Championship will be the first to feature the reigning champion, who is making a comeback with Erebus Motorsport.

For Kostecki to claim the #1, he had to pull off the rare feat of overcoming Triple Eight.

The Erebus Motorsport youngster was just the fourth driver in the last 15 seasons since Whincup’s first title in 2008 to beat Triple Eight.

Throughout the 2023 season Kostecki traded blows with Triple Eight before emerging on top on the streets of Adelaide.

Although Triple Eight’s Broc Feeney and Will Brown have been near unbeatable in the absence of the #1, Whincup cannot wait to resume the rivalry.

“It is great news Brodie is back,” Whincup told AUTO ACTION.

“He is the champion so we certainly want to see him on the grid.

“It is a strange scenario and I don’t know any more than what I have seen in the media but who cares.

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

“He is back and that is great. No doubt he will be one of our biggest competitors at Taupo.”

Looking ahead to winning the battle on the new, unknown Taupo circuit, Whincup knows Triple Eight cannot assume anything despite winning five of the six races so far.

“I could not be happier with the start of the year but we are fully aware that momentum can change at any time so we are keeping our heads down making sure we don’t rest on our laurels.

“It is no given at any race meeting because you can easily end up P20 in qualifying if you just miss your mark.

“Most of the field has done a few laps around Taupo and we have done the same.

“From all accounts it will be a tight, twisty track with a big crowd so we will do the best we can.

“We are going to expect the unexpected which is great.”

Image by Peter Norton Epic Sports Photography

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

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

Or subscribe to the print edition here or at selected outlets. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.

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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Whincup welcomes back Kostecki rivalry

The Erebus Motorsport youngster was just the fourth driver in the last 15 seasons since Whincup’s first title in 2008 to beat Triple Eight.

“He is the champion so we certainly want to see him on the grid.

“I could not be happier with the start of the year but we are fully aware that momentum can change at any time so we are keeping our heads down making sure we don’t rest on our laurels.

“From all accounts it will be a tight, twisty track with a big crowd so we will do the best we can.

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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