Erebus to repair Brown’s car, saving wildcard entry

Erebus Motorsport has confirmed that Will Brown’s heavily damaged Supercar will race at the Repco Bathurst 1000, meaning that the team’s spare car can still be used for the wildcard entry with Greg Murphy and Richie Stanaway at the wheel.

Brown’s car was damaged after he hit the tyre barriers at pit entry following contact with Mark Winterbottom in Race 28 at the ITM Auckland SuperSprint.

“The guys have had a proper look at the car and we believe we can fix it in time for Bathurst,” said Erebus Motorsport CEO Barry Ryan.

“We’ve got it to Mount Gambier and on the jig, the whole rear of the car is getting cut off and we’ll replace it all.

“Once it’s done, we’ll get it to paint and then back in the workshop and start to replace all the componentry and bodywork.

“Almost every tube in the back half of the car has either been torn, twisted or bent. Items like our gear box, fuel tank housing, drive shafts and suspension components also need to be repaired or replaced.

“We knew there had been substantial damage, though you always find more as you start to pull parts and panels off it.”

It is unlikely that the #9 will be ready in time for Brown’s last rookie test day next week, with testing alongside Murphy and Stanaway the following week a possible option.

Erebus Motorsport faced the possibility of being unable to run the wildcard entry, should Brown have needed to run the spare chassis at Bathurst.

“I couldn’t be prouder of our team; our guys are working around the clock to ensure we have three Boost Mobile Commodores at Bathurst,” said Ryan.

“We are going to Bathurst with the goal to replicate our pole position last year and go two steps higher on the podium, and we’re doing everything in our power to make that happen.

“It’s no different with the wildcard, and it will have been a long journey once it finally gets to Bathurst.

“Everyone wants to see Murphy at Bathurst one more time and we are excited to see how Richie goes in an Erebus car.”