Supercars squad Erebus Motorsport has confirmed it has retained Brodie Kostecki and Will Brown but looks set to lose its naming rights sponsor, Boost Mobile.
Telecommunications network owner Peter Adderton took to social media just hours before the driver announcement, confirming Boost Mobile will be taking a break from sponsorship activities in Supercars after 2022.
Adderton was part of a failed effort to buy the Supercars business last year. In the wake of that bid, the entrepreneur has been vocal about his disdain for the new owners, Racing Australia Consolidated Enterprises Ltd (RACE).
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His frustrations with the new ownership group came to a head on Friday when Supercars chairman Barclay Nettlefold posed for a photo with Optus-backed Walkinshaw Andretti United drivers Chaz Mostert and Nick Percat at a store.
Boost Mobile is the official telecommunications partner of the Repco Supercars Championship and Gold Coast 500 naming rights sponsor.
“The level of incompetence by the owners of Supercars knows no bounds, they are extremely vindictive or stupid,” Adderton wrote on social media.
“We are for now the official telco sponsor but some wizard over there at Supercars thought it was a good idea to go visit a competitor’s store and post a photo of it.
“I have no issue with WAU and Optus sponsorship but when RACE officials who have an exclusive agreement with [Boost Mobile Australia] show such disrespect would they go visit and photograph themselves in a Supercheap Auto story? Or drink a Monster drink?
“This will cost you Supercars.”
A day later, Adderton confirmed his intentions to rescind his Supercars sponsorships at the end of the season.
“We will finish out the year of all our Supercars investments and sponsorships and commitments as per our agreements and then take a break from Supercars,” said Adderton.
“I will not be commenting, [taking] calls, or interviews related to anything related to Supercars owners, direction, I wish the teams and the drivers well for the future.
“Want to thank the fans for being the best fans in any sport Supercars are Lucky to have you so let’s have a blast and go out with a bang.”
Despite that, Erebus Motorsport confirmed it will run an unchanged line-up through to 2024 with Kostecki and Brown each re-signed on two-year deals.
Brown was the subject of some speculation that he might move to Dick Johnson Racing. His confirmation at Erebus Motorsport all but secures Will Davison’s space at the team.
“Brodie and Will have been great team-mates and we have been able to build the team around them,” said team founder Betty Klimenko said.
“They’ve done an amazing job so far and represented our team like true professionals on and off the track.
“The consistency and stability now within the team gives me confidence that we are only going to continue to grow.”
Erebus Motorsport team principal Barry Ryan said the re-signing of Kostecki and Brown is important with the next-generation Supercars on the horizon.
Dubbed Gen3, the Chevrolet Camaro will be introduced to the championship alongside the new-look Ford Mustang.
“After bringing Brodie and Will into the main game as rookies last season, they are still both the only drivers we want to lead our team into Gen3 and what will be a critical first two seasons,” Ryan said.
“They have been unquestionably loyal to Erebus and have committed to being here long term, and that’s something we’re very proud of.
“Great teams are hard to create and having our two drivers signed for our next journey together compliments the commitment and loyalty of the rest of our team and our goal to get to the top of Supercars.
“We still have a lot we are targeting for 2022 and we will be giving our all to win races and really target being the final team to win Bathurst in the current cars.”
Boost Mobile has been involved in Supercars on and off for the best part of two decades, sponsoring teams, drivers and events.
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