EREBUS Motorsport will field rookie Aaren Russell in the 2016 V8 Supercars Championship.
The 24-year-old will race the team’s second car alongside David Reynolds, with Russell’s car set to be sponsored by long-term backers Plus Fitness and Go Karts Go.
The Newcastle racer made his main series debut as a wildcard in last year’s Bathurst 1000 after several seasons of racing in the Dunlop Series.
“This is an amazing opportunity, it still feels surreal,” Russell said. “It really makes all of the hard work and sacrifices we have made as a family over the years worthwhile.
“It will be a year of learning for me. Racing at the Bathurst 1000 last year was an eye opening experience.
“I can’t thank Plus Fitness and Tony Klein from the Dragon Corporation enough for their loyalty and continued support.”
The announcement comes a day after the team confirmed that Penrite will back its No. 9 entry, piloted by Reynolds, for the full 2016 season.
The release carefully omitted any mention of the make or model of the car he will drive, as speculation continues that the team is set to forsake its orphan Mercedes E63 AMGs for a pair of Holden Commodores as it relocates its headquarters from the Gold Coast to Melbourne.
Team owner Betty Klimenko said she is looking forward to helping Russell achieve his goals in the sport.
“Having Aaren join us this year will be fantastic,” Klimenko said.
“He comes from a family-based motorsport business and it’s wonderful to see his whole family involved. Supercars is about family, fun, and of course, racing to win!
“We look forward to helping Aaren achieve his goals.”
Where this leaves their 2015 driver, Ash Walsh, is not clear.
Walsh started the season in the team’s No. 4 car but was replaced for the final two events by first Dean Canto, then Alex Davison.
He was announced as having a two-year deal when he joined the team at the start of last year, affirming as he accepted the Mike Kable ‘Young Gun’ Award at last year’s V8 Awards Gala that he would be continuing with the team in 2016.
There is now just one remaining vacant drive on the V8 Supercars grid, the second car at Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport alongside Nick Percat.
