Competition for the remaining co-driver seats ahead of the Repco Supercars Championship endurance events is starting to ramp up following announcements last week involving Walkinshaw Andretti United and Team 18.
It was announced by Walkinshaw Andretti United it had cancelled its proposed Wildcard for the Repco Bathurst 1000 leaving long-time co-driver Warren Luff without a ride, but only temporarily.
Luff will be on the grid as he joins Scott Pye at Team 18 confirming its line-up for this season as Michael Caruso continues with the squad alongside Mark Winterbottom in the DEWALT Racing Chevrolet Camaro.
Walkinshaw Andretti United has an enviable co-driver line-up at its disposal as Fabian Coulthard joins Nick Percat in the NTI Mobil 1 Racing entry, while Chaz Mostert reunites with 2021 Bathurst winning partner Lee Holdsworth.
Title rivals Red Bull Ampol Racing confirmed Richie Stanaway to join Shane van Gisbergen and Team Principal Jamie Whincup will once again pair with young gun Broc Feeney.
But what about Garth Tander?
Tander may have won Bathurst last year with van Gisbergen, but moves to Penrite Racing to partner either David Reynolds or Matt Payne. The team has gambled on the second driver by installing experienced sportscar ace Kevin Estre.
Leading the Drivers’ and Teams’ Championships, Coca-Cola Racing by Erebus will rely on its usual co-driver veterans. Will Brown is joined by Jack Perkins, while title leader Brodie Kostecki finished on the podium alongside David Russell last year.
Another unchanged line-up is Shell V-Power Racing where Tony D’Alberto continues with Anton De Pasquale and the brothers Davison will aim for better in 2023.
Tickford Racing welcome back Garry Jacobson back to the fold as an endurance driver joining James Moffat, Zak Best and team newbie Tyler Everingham.
After an impressive run during the 2022 Repco Bathurst 1000, Nulon Racing’s James Golding and Dylan O’Keeffe continue together.
Moving from Tickford Racing is Zane Goddard as he joins Craig Lowndes in the Triple Eight Race Engineering Wildcard.
Speaking of Wildcard, Boost Mobile’s Peter Adderton is keen to join the grid in a Triple Eight-built Chevrolet Camaro.
A strong Dunlop Super2 Series has strengthened the competition for co-driver slots as Cooper Murray, Aaron Love, Aaron Seton, Kai Allen, Cameron Crick, Ryan Wood, Matt Chahda and Jay Hanson have emerged.
A pool of experienced racers including Jake Kostecki, Dale Wood, Dean Fiore, Chris Pither, Jayden Ojeda and another young gun in the form of Jordan Boys are yet to confirm their plans.
There is still plenty to play out ahead of the Sandown 500’s return in September as the traditional warm up to the Repco Bathurst 1000.