EREBUS Racing owner Betty Klimenko has publically thanked Stone Brothers Racing founders Ross and Jim Stone for their involvement in setting up the team she purchased late last year.

In what seems to be the final piece of the ‘transition’ from the all conquering Ford team to a privately-backed team running AMG Mercedes-Benz E-Class products this year, Klimenko thanked the long-time team owners in a heartfelt message on her public Facebook fan page.

“This morning I would like to thank Ross and Jimmy Stone for bringing SBR to our shores and for the many years of truly exciting racing they have given us,” she wrote.

“I would like to thank them for all the help and guidance they have given me and my CEO Ryan Maddison during this transition.

“Ross and Jimmy thank you so much for allowing me to carry on your legacy, thank you for spending time with me, to make sure I understand what I am getting into. Stone Brothers is a true icon in Australian motor racing history.”

Klimenko believes that the newly re-branded Erebus Motorsport V8 Supercar team will continue to represent the history and values of Stone Brothers Racing as well as possible throughout their maiden V8 season.

“It is not easy when a name so well known in Australian V8’s, and part of its racing history, will no longer be seen across the top of the garages, but to go forward and not carry that history would be a travesty.

“When fans walk along the pits in Adelaide for the first time, in 2013, and they don’t see the SBR sign, I think there will be some sad faces, I know mine will be. But to see EREBUS MOTORSPORT for me will be amazing, so it will be a bitter sweet time.

“And to the 47 new additions to the Erebus family we welcome you, we are becoming a very large family, I think I need a bigger back yard for that Xmas BBQ.”

With Erebus formally assuming the reins at SBR, Klimenko was quick to remind fans that the Stone Brothers influence would remain behind the scenes for some time as the team establishes itself this year.

The team will continue to draw on the expertise and experience of both Ross and Jim Stone as their Car of the Future program accelerates to an anticipated mid-January launch date.

“Ross I am sorry, but that rocking chair will have to wait, you have a lot to teach me still so I am glad will be around for a while yet. Jimmy you still have to teach me to hammer like you do.” Klimenko wrote.

A change of name does not change the team, the history of it or the ability of it. I am not here to reinvent the wheel, I am here to carry on what two wonderful Kiwi’s started.

“SBR will be represented, as the founders of the team, in everything Erebus Motorsport V8 does. Thank you.”

In another post elsewhere on her Facebook page, Klimenko noted the team was hoping to unveil their E-Class AMG V8 Supercars ‘Somewhere in Sydney’ prior to the official V8 Supercars pre-season test at Sydney Motorsport Park, on February 16.