Erebus Motorsport has announced an unchanged co-driver line-up for next year’s Enduro Cup, with Luke Youlden and Will Brown staying on.
The pair will continue with David Reynolds and Anton De Pasquale, with all four drivers set to turn laps of Winton tomorrow in the team’s final season test.
“We have one more test up our sleeve and we’re certainly not going to waste it,” Erebus’ Barry Ryan said.
It will be the last test for the year and Ryan admits there will be a clear focus on next season.
“There could be some changes coming and with the extra test we want to get ahead of the game.
“We have a long list of components to test for next season and having our co-drivers already locked away, means we can give them extra laps.”
Next season marks Youlden’s third straight in the team, with the Reynolds/Youlden partnership having scored victory at Bathurst in 2017.
“It’s absolutely awesome to be back, Erebus are the team to be with and I can’t imagine myself being anywhere else,” Youlden said.
“We have some unfinished business after Bathurst and I want to make sure we complete what we set out to do.
“The whole team are already better prepared for next season and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
The team led for the balance of the race this year and were set for back-to-back Bathurst 1000 wins before it came undone with lap 161 in sight.
Changes in the calendar mean Bathurst will open the Enduro Cup in October, and Youlden believes it’s in their favour.
“I’m looking forward to it and I think it will help us. The car is strong there and it doesn’t give other teams an opportunity to ‘warm up’, but for us there’s nothing new and it’s business as usual.”
In their first season as a pairing, De Pasquale and Brown finished a best of 12that Sandown although were leading Sunday’s Gold Coast race before it was rained out.
“We had a great first season together and it’s one I definitely want to build on next year,” Brown said.
“Locking it away this early means we know exactly what we’re doing and where we’re heading.
“To be able to test this early as well and get another day of running is a really big benefit and I think it will show next season.”
Erebus will launch their 2019 campaign in the coming weeks, unveiling new branding for the two cars.