Erebus enduro driver Jobe Stewart is emerging as the frontrunner for a promotion to the main game. [IMAGE0CONTEXT:bmw_unknown] Recent rounds have revealed that out-of-contract Jack Le Brocq is unlikely to remain with Erebus beyond this season, with strong speculation suggesting a potential reunion with Matt Stone Racing. This situation has positioned Erebus as a significant player during the silly season, as it prepares to fill the vacancy alongside Cooper Murray.
Promising Rookies
Once again, the team appears set to elevate a rookie to the main game, with Erebus Academy Super2 driver Jobe Stewart widely regarded as the next in line. While Stewart is currently seen as the slight favorite, other contenders include Jarrod Hughes and Zach Bates, who made a strong main game debut during the Supercheap Auto wildcard at Queensland Raceway. Erebus will closely evaluate Stewart and Hughes throughout the endurance races, as they will be paired with Le Brocq and Murray, respectively.
Both drivers had their first significant mileage last week at Queensland Raceway, participating in a pre-enduro test on Tuesday followed by a ride day on Wednesday. Despite Hughes dealing with an injured shoulder from a recent Super2 crash, Erebus CEO Barry Ryan noted that both drivers have exceeded expectations thus far. He emphasized that they are both in contention for a promotion to the main game next year.
“Both Jobe and Jarrod exceeded our expectations for outright lap times and race run consistency at the test day on Tuesday,” Ryan stated to Speedcafe. “I have complete faith that they will both be at least top five in the co-driver rankings post-Bathurst and will certainly outshine some main drivers. Jobe has been part of our racing family since he was 12 years old. He’s now 21 and possesses exceptional talent and a strong racing brain. I have watched Hughesy and admired his ability for several years, dating back to his early Toyota 86 days.”
Future Supercars Champions
Ryan believes that these two drivers, along with Bates, Rylan Gray, Nash Morris, and several others, are the ones teams should consider if they want a shot at discovering the next Supercars champion. “We certainly will be,” he added. “All of these young drivers have an opportunity to step up in the enduro races and stake a claim to a 2026 main game seat.”
Erebus has a notable history of taking chances on rookies, such as promoting Anton De Pasquale from Super2 to the main game for the 2018 season. After both David Reynolds and De Pasquale departed at the end of the 2020 season, Erebus opted for an all-rookie lineup of Will Brown and Brodie Kostecki. Le Brocq was a rare experienced signing when Brown left at the end of 2023, but Erebus returned to its rookie roots by promoting Murray to replace Kostecki for this season.