Kostecki Out For Bathurst & AGP, then BACK for Taupo

[Ares]

Originally Posted by Compromised

If I was in a toxic environment, being pulled down and belittled constantly the last thing I'd do is go and win a national championship. Brodie is one in a billion to be able to achieve what he did in those conditions....oh, Will Brown top 5 in the championship is amazing given the circumstances too. Jeez, what are the odds of both drivers overcoming horrific circumstances to succeed? Truly special

These are things that build over time, maybe things have come to a head. Maybe Kostecki told Ryan to **** off over Xmas? who knows at this stage. What I do know is that sponsors, two of them have walked. They wouldn't just up sticks over night, stuff has been going down for awhile I suspect. This is just the straw that broke the camel's back.

[GTRMagic]

A Message From Shane Howard @ V8Supercar

Originally Posted by The Article. Shane Howard, CEO V8Supercar

Dear Supercars Community,

I want to address the recent developments between Brodie Kostecki and Erebus Motorsport that resulted in Brodie not racing for the Erebus team at the upcoming Thrifty Bathurst 500. The situation has garnered significant attention and speculation, and I feel it's crucial from a Supercars perspective to provide clarity and context.

I've personally been in confidential dialogue with Brodie both leading into and following the announcement. I've also had extensive discussions about the matter over recent weeks with Erebus Motorsport management, including Barry Ryan and Betty Klimenko. There have been suggestions that Supercars hasn't engaged in these conversations or has taken sides. This is simply incorrect and misleading.

The ongoing nature of this situation, between Brodie Kostecki and Erebus Motorsport which is yet to be resolved, is why none of the parties involved will comment on the matter at this time. We respect the rights of all individual parties, including their discretion to resolve matters in a confidential manner. Efforts are continuing to be made to facilitate and encourage the parties to find a practical and workable solution in the best interests of all stakeholders.

There has been considerable commentary on this matter, and some of it has been disappointing. We urge everyone to approach this situation with understanding, empathy and patience it deserves.

The circumstances at hand are ultimately a matter between the owners and management of Erebus Motorsport and their contracted driver, Brodie Kostecki. Supercars has offered our full support to all parties and will continue to do so.

Racing is a passion that should be enjoyed by everyone, be it as a spectator, volunteer, sponsor, team owner, employee, or driver.

Yours faithfully,

Shane Howard

Chief Executive Officer

[GTRMagic]

She’s a bit naked..

[Ares]

The disappointing bit he talks about, is that his first press release?

[mf51]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

She’s a bit naked..

We might see Truck Assist reunite with Jack and Todd?

[Jack65]

What this whole sordid affair shows how ill-equipped Supercars is to deal with a crisis. For all the negative press, it is at least a localised problem within the one team that has the wealthiest owner. Betty has written out big cheques before and may have to again, but for other teams it could result in the shutters being rolled down.

Another thing highlighted is the need to tighten up the rules on how the #1 plate is used. Perhaps a driver can only use it if he remains with the same team the following season.

[one five five]

Originally Posted by Jack65

Another thing highlighted is the need to tighten up the rules on how the #1 plate is used. Perhaps a driver can only use it if he remains with the same team the following season.

What needs to be tightened up?

It was only testing, Hazelwood won’t be racing with the 1.

Why shouldn’t Kostecki be able to use it when he runs this year?

[Madbugger]

Originally Posted by Jack65

Another thing highlighted is the need to tighten up the rules on how the #1 plate is used. Perhaps a driver can only use it if he remains with the same team the following season.

Agree 100%. The driver is only a small part of it, the resources that are behind him are considerable and expensive. For a team owner to see the coveted number 1 walk to another team for the following year would be horrible.

[HDTVKSS]

Originally Posted by Madbugger

Agree 100%. The driver is only a small part of it, the resources that are behind him are considerable and expensive. For a team owner to see the coveted number 1 walk to another team for the following year would be horrible.

OK, thats enough internet for today....

[Mixer]

Supposedly the whole thing is about the fact that Betty released Will to drive for 888 after refusing to do the same for Brodie.

At the end of the day though he has a contact. Why Supercars or anybody else needs to get involved is beyond me.

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by mf51

We might see Truck Assist reunite with Jack and Todd?

Truck Assist are still on Mr LeBrocq’s stack hat

[Umai Naa]

Both sides have get-out mechanisms in their contract. You would be incredibly negligent not to.

Where Supercars needs to get involved is to ensure that both parties refrain from tarnishing the sport's image, or as Mr Cochrane would say, "bring the sport into disrepute".

Speaking of whom, he would never let it get this far down the road. Both parties would have copped a spray. Behind closed doors. In an effort to resolve the matter as soon as practically possible.

The biggest problem I see here is communitcation, or the lack thereof.

[Umai Naa]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Truck Assist are still on Mr LeBrocq’s stack hat

Would make more sense to run that down the sides of both cars at a reduced rate, than use the name at the centre of a crapstorm.

[Jack65]

Originally Posted by Umai Naa

Both sides have get-out mechanisms in their contract. You would be incredibly negligent not to.

Usually force de majeure or performance based, but as the team provided the driver with the tools to win the championship, may not be any that apply.

[V8 Fireworks]

Originally Posted by Mixer

At the end of the day though he has a contact.

Yet Coca-Cola were released from their 2024 contract? It seems illogical for Erebus Motorsport to not provide the same level of accommodation and goodwill for their driver.

[V8 Fireworks]

Originally Posted by Compromised

If I was in a toxic environment, being pulled down and belittled constantly the last thing I'd do is go and win a national championship. Brodie is one in a billion to be able to achieve what he did in those conditions....oh, Will Brown top 5 in the championship is amazing given the circumstances too. Jeez, what are the odds of both drivers overcoming horrific circumstances to succeed? Truly special

Are you suggesting Erebus Motorsport are good operators?

If so, why have Shaw & Partners, SCTR, Coca Cola and Will Brown all left the establishment, while Brodie Kostecki would also (apparently) like to leave the establishment?

By contrast, the racing team McLaren Racing shows exactly how to retain and extend contracts with sponsors and drivers, despite the lead driver Lando Norris having an offer from the slick Red Bull Racing squad and the rookie Oscar Piastri being highly rated and likely in demand elsewhere if not for McLaren extending their contract for Piastri's services until at least the end of 2027.

People are making commercial decisions because we're fully aware that there's a lot more to the story, and if things do come out, they are potentially damaging to other people's brands.

- Steven Blackmore, SCTR

If it is a simple contractual dispute of Kostecki wanting to be released from his contract (bad operational management by Erebus Motorsport compared to McLaren Racing, but little more), why does Blackmore say this?

[mountainstar]

Kinda of funny to watch all the chest hair pulling on Facebook going on over this and yet no one in the public still knows exactly what all the drama is about. Press releases flying all over, all sorts of news stories and exhalations and in the end what is the big deal?

[Compromised]

Originally Posted by V8 Fireworks

Are you suggesting Erebus Motorsport are good operators?

Well you don't beat T8 over the course of a season by being bad operators.

All I'm saying is if it was so toxic that all the sponsors and championship winning driver are leaving, Erebus' results last season were almost impossible.

Not to mention, why would Supercars' response be so milquetoast if it was clearly toxic Erebus at fault? I'm sure they'd love nothing more than an excuse to give Betty a smack

[Jack65]

Originally Posted by V8 Fireworks

Yet Coca-Cola were released from their 2024 contract?

Coca-Cola wasn't released from its contract, it along with the others that walked either had get out clauses, or Erebus recognise the toxicity of the problem and wouldn't dare try to hold them to their contracts.

Originally Posted by V8 Fireworks

it is a simple contractual dispute of Kostecki wanting to be released from his contract (bad operational management by Erebus Motorsport compared to McLaren Racing, but little more), why does Blackmore say this?

Because it is not his story to tell.

[justracing]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Roland Dane’s View

An extremely erudite view and very slanted towards mismanagement. I follow Supercars from afar and rarely miss a race and the real puzzle would seem to be nobody outside the inner circle seems to have a clue as to the root cause of the problem, not only Brodie's potential departure or the exodus of major sponsors. Everything that I have read is mere speculation so it would seem.

[TWRv12]

Originally Posted by justracing

An extremely erudite view and very slanted towards mismanagement. I follow Supercars from afar and rarely miss a race and the real puzzle would seem to be nobody outside the inner circle seems to have a clue as to the root cause of the problem, not only Brodie's potential departure or the exodus of major sponsors. Everything that I have read is mere speculation so it would seem.

Roland is close to Brodie, look back at his piece about his journey to the title. Adderton is close too.

[V8 Fireworks]

Originally Posted by Compromised

All I'm saying is if it was so toxic that all the sponsors and championship winning driver are leaving, Erebus' results last season were almost impossible.

So why are they leaving instead of extending their contracts then? Baffling.

[GTRMagic]

The odd part.. is that there doesn’t seem to be a mass exodus of techogumby oily bits touchers out of this squad. If it was wholly and solely a negative effluent show every single day, wouldn’t they be looking to escape, especially being more than marketable with a title under their belts…

Personality clash?
It happens.

[V8 Fireworks]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Personality clash?
It happens.

There are rumours of a physical altercation between Mr. Ryan and Mr. Kostecki during "celebrations" after the championship victory, where Ryan was (allegedly) unwelcoming of Mr. Brown to the party (or even derogatory towards Brown) and obviously Kostecki stood up for Brown.

Erebus Motorsport will enter its season as reigning champions with a new Team Principal in Brad Tremain.

- 25 January 2024
https://www.supercars.com/news/erebu...team-principal

This is said to have prompted the announcement of Tremain as team principal, but the impasse of Ryan being team CEO and "standoff" between Kostecki and Ryan remains -- allegedly.

If the rumours are true, is it really practical for Ryan and Kostecki to continue to work together in the same racing team?

This version of events would be consistent with sponsors saying there is "more to the story" than a simple contractual dispute.

[Trev Campbell]

Originally Posted by TWRv12

Roland is close to Brodie, look back at his piece about his journey to the title. Adderton is close too.

So it's a biased piece of writing.

I'm sure if at the end of 2012, Whincup said to Roland it's You or me at this team, I know who would have gone and who would have stayed.

If supercars then tried to place the reigning champ at another team (For the good of the sport) and Roland had a contract, he'd have Supercars and Jamie in court in a flash. As we know Roland has been so accommodating and generous when members of 888 have left

So most of what Roland has said is BS and possibly only being done to further destabilize the team that knocked of 888