Erebus give Murray Supercars dream
Cooper Murray will be the latest Supercars rookie to race for Erebus Motorsport, being confirmed on a multi-year deal.
As revealed by AUTO ACTION, Murray will race the #99 Camaro alongside Jack Le Brocq in 2025, replacing reigning Supercars champion Brodie Kostecki, who is on the move for the first time in his career to Dick Johnson Racing.
The 23-year-old is the latest of a long list of names who have had their first crack at full time Supercars with Erebus.
Murray follows in the footsteps of Erebus rookies Maro Engel (2013) Ash Walsh (2015) Aaren Russell (2016) Shae Davies (2016) Anton De Pasquale (2018) Will Brown and Kostecki (2021).
It also means the Melbourne born and bred driver can complete his Super2 commitments with Eggleston Motorsport and wildcard endurance campaign with Craig Lowndes and Triple Eight with his future secured.
Cooper Murray in the hot seat at Darwin.
“It’s a very exciting time for me and the Erebus Motorsport team. We’re all looking forward to working together in the years to come. I’ve been working towards this moment since I started racing karts when I was 10, so I’m ready to make the most of it,” Murray said.
“I can’t thank Barry, Betty, and the whole crew enough for placing their trust in me to drive the #99 Camaro.
“This is an amazing opportunity—getting your foot in the door in the main game is tough, and I’m incredibly grateful for this chance.”
Murray is another to come from Formula Ford before taking on the Porsche pyramid, where he finished second to Cameron Hill in the 2021 Carrera Cup and went to Europe in the prestigious junior global shootout.
Despite spending 2022 away from racing, he still logged miles for Team 18.His first taste of Erebus occurred in 2022 when he had the first of two driver evaluation tests with another taking place last year in a Gen3 Camaro.
Erebus engineer Tom Moore, Jay Hanson, Cooper Murray and engineer George Commins at an evaluation day last year.
In 2023 he also steed up to Super2 and won his first race with Eggleston Motorsport and finished fourth, but whilst 2024 has been impacted by incidents, he has showed immense speed.
He has already made his Supercars debut in the #888 wildcard at Darwin where he made the top 10 shootout.
Erebus CEO Barry Ryan outlined Cooper’s journey, from his early days in karting to the Porsche Junior Shootout in Europe in 2021, his Super2 debut in 2023 where he won his first race at Newcastle, and his recent wildcard debut in Darwin.
Ryan believes Murray and Le Brocq can be a strong combination.
“Betty and I are very excited to bring another top talent into the main Supercar series,” Ryan said.
“Cooper has been in our sights for several years, and his drive and determination to succeed is exactly what we want in a driver.
Cooper Murray tackles the hairpin at Townsville last year. Image: Mark Horsburgh
“Jack’s experience, maturity, and speed make him the ideal teammate for Cooper.
“I’m confident they’ll push each other to excel both on and off the track.”
Erebus owner Betty Klimenko said Murray is the latest chapter of the team’s long history of giving youth a chance.
“With the signing of Cooper, we’re reaffirming our commitment to developing young talent,” Klimenko said.
“With Jack now taking a leadership role in our team, it’s the perfect time to introduce a young driver who can learn and grow alongside him.”
Cooper Murray chats with Craig Lowndes.
Although Kostecki is departing at the end of the year, Ryan recognised “Bush’s” efforts, having pushed the team to a famous championship victory in 2023.
The pair are determined to end their time together on a high.
“We’re immensely proud of everything Brodie and the team accomplished during his time with Erebus and wish him all the best in his future with DJR,” Ryan added.
“With four rounds still to go, our team is 100% committed to the enduro campaign and determined to finish 2024 on a high.
“We’re ready to give it everything we’ve got.”
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