Team 18 retains Luff and Caruso

Team 18 will carry its experienced co-driving line up into the 2024 Supercars enduros with Warren Luff and Michael Caruso returning.

Caruso will carry on his partnership with Mark Winterbottom for a fourth straight year in the #18, while Luff will share the #20 with David Reynolds.

As was the case last year, Luff is on loan from Walkinshaw Andretti United, where the veteran works on the Super2 program.

Both Luff and Caruso will be at Team 18’s test day this Thursday at Winton as it searches for speed following a tough Perth SuperSprint.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to welcome Michael and Warren back as our co-drivers for the 2024 enduros,” Team 18 boss Charlie Schwerkolt said.

“Their wealth of experience speaks volumes, and alongside Frosty and Dave, we boast an incredibly formidable lineup for the endurance races.

“Michael’s a familiar face to us now and we’re excited to bring his energy back into the garage. 

“We couldn’t be happier to have Luffy back and thankful for Walkinshaw Andretti United for releasing him to join us for the enduros.

“Their combined knowledge and expertise will undoubtedly bolster our team’s efforts as we gear up for the endurance battles ahead.”

Winterbottom and Caruso are one of the more longer standing and experienced co-driver partnerships, suiting up for a fourth season together, while both been present since at least the mid 2000s.

Michael Caruso and Mark Winterbottom suited up before the 2023 Sandown 500.

The pair are yet to achieve a top 10 together with their best result being 11th at Sandown last year.

“I’m thrilled to be returning to Team 18 for another shot at the enduros. Mark and I have built a solid partnership over the years and we work well together,” Caruso said.

“The team have built up their stocks heavily in the off-season and they’ve got off to a solid start so far this season, so I’m itching to jump back in the DEWALT Camaro and see how it’s developed as we prepare for the upcoming enduro season.”

“Having Michael back on board for another year is fantastic,” Winterbottom said. 

“He’s been a great asset to the team over the last three enduro campaigns and no doubt his experience will carry us in good stead heading back to Sandown and Bathurst this year.”

“He’s great to have around the team and he’s been closely following our performances this year, so I can’t wait to get him back in the garage and take on the enduros with him.”

With a squeeze on at WAU with Lee Holdsworth and Fabian Coulthard partnering the regulars, Luff turned to Team 18 to carry on his Supercars career last year.

In 2024 Reynolds will become his 18th different Bathurst 1000 co-driver having finished on the podium six times.

“I’m pumped to be back at Team 18 with Dave Reynolds and Tradie Beer Racing for this year’s enduro campaign,” Luff said. 

“I had a great time with Team 18 last year and am excited to be back with the team this year.

“Teaming up with David Reynolds for the first time is an exciting opportunity. 

“He had a great run there at the first round so I’m eager to bring my experience to the table and work with him to achieve strong results at both Sandown and Bathurst.”

“Teaming up with Luffy is going to be a blast,” Reynolds reckons.

“He’s a proven performer at the mountain as well as Sandown and he’s one of the most popular guys in the paddock come the enduros for good reason, so I’m excited to see what we can achieve together.

“We’ve been to Bathurst this year as a team once already and we had a decent package there, so I’m pretty confident going into the enduros.”

READ THE LATEST ISSUE OF AUTO ACTION DIGITAL HERE

Don’t forget the print edition of Auto Action available via subscription here. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.

Podcast: Supercars from Perth, F1 from Imola and Scotty Mac fast in Indy

It was a big motorsport weekend, that’s for sure. Ford broke its duck with a pair of wins in Perth, one each for Chaz Mostert and Cam Waters, and we do a deep dive into what happened.

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