Brodie Kostecki had a remarkable turn of events over the past week. Just days ago, he planned to unwind on his couch with a beer while watching the Race of Champions. Instead, he found himself on the verge of clinching the Nations Cup title on Friday night in Sydney.
Kostecki received a call around 9pm on Tuesday, informing him that Supercars legend Jamie Whincup had withdrawn due to preparations for Cyclone Alfred. He teamed up with his former Erebus Racing teammate, Will Brown, and together, they advanced to the finals, where they faced a formidable French duo comprising Formula 2 star Victor Martins and nine-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb.
In an exhilarating final, Brown managed to defeat Loeb in the Polaris buggy, setting the stage for Kostecki to challenge Martins for the win. Despite a valiant effort, Kostecki was unable to overcome the French ace, who drove a Rallycross car and managed to secure a spot in a deciding race against Brown. In a dramatic conclusion, Brown had a chance to seize victory on the final bend of the 1km track but lost control, allowing France to claim the Nations Cup.
Reflecting on the tense moments, Brown explained, “I was just trying to make it all up in the last corner,” acknowledging the pressure that came with the crowd’s cheers and the high stakes of the race. Although he couldn’t quite hear them, he felt the energy and admitted he considered taking a risk by cutting a corner for the thrill of it.
The Australian pairing had a commendable run to the finals, defeating rivals such as Off Road competitors Molly Taylor and Toby Price, and New Zealand’s Hayden Paddon and Louis Sharp in the earlier stages. They then pulled off an impressive upset against four-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel and Mick Schumacher in the semi-finals.
Kostecki and Brown’s performance was both inspiring and exhilarating, showcasing their talent and determination on an international stage. As the crowd erupted in excitement during their final race, Brown expressed hope for an even larger turnout for the subsequent night’s events. The Race of Champions continues on Saturday with the highly anticipated individual winner-takes-all Champion of Champions event.