Crook Supercars champ ruled out with ‘lingering effects’ of post-race collapse
DARWIN: Supercars gun Brodie Kostecki has been ruled out of competition for the final race of the Darwin Triple Crown.
Kostecki has been battling illness all week, and put in a Herculean effort in Saturday’s 200km race to finish third behind Kai Allen and Cameron Waters.
Brodie Kostecki receiving medical assistance after Saturday's race. Getty
He also did so with a drink bottle issue that meant he had no water for much of the race. He slumped onto the ground when he got out of the car, and was shortly after taken to the trackside medical centre.
In a statement on Sunday morning, Kostecki’s Dick Johnson Racing team confirmed he would be replaced by endurance co-driver Todd Hazelwood for Sunday’s qualifying session and the race.
“Brodie was assessed by Supercars Medical Delegate Dr Carl Le (Sunday) morning following the virus and dehydration that caused him to be taken to the medical centre after finishing in third place in Saturday’s race,” the statement read.
“Although he received clearance to drive from that issue, lingering after effects have rendered him unable to participate in the rest of the weekend.”
When not in the car, Kostecki has spent much of the weekend in Darwin inside the team truck battling a flu. He has also been kept away from fans and other team members to avoid a spread.
Outbreaks of illness are not uncommon within the Supercars paddock, particularly during race meetings in colder climates.
Following Saturday’s race, DJR team manager Tom Moore told media including Nine.com.au the water bottle issue must have been inside Kostecki’s helmet, before praising the 2023 champion for his “inspiring” drive.
“His water bottle wasn’t flowing as good as we would have hoped – it’s something in his helmet,” he said.
“We’ve checked as soon as the car came back and it’s flowing fine out of the car side, so there would be a blockage in his cheek pad somewhere.”
Although the air temperature at Hidden Valley was a relatively mild 31C, temperatures inside the cabin regularly exceed 50C.
Given that, Moore said he wasn’t surprised Kostecki needed treatment after what he said was one of the “gutsiest” performances he’d ever seen.
“I’ve seen him under some adverse conditions … stuff going on around him in the team or in his life, or physically health-wise, but that’s up there,” he said.
“I think coupled with where we are in Darwin in the heat, that’s definitely pretty tough.
Kostecki finished third in Saturday's race. Getty
“He wasn’t in a flash way (Saturday) morning – he’s been looked after throughout the entire day. Dr Carl met him as soon as we got here, made sure he was fine to go, so he hasn’t been put in any danger at any point throughout the day.
“But to come straight out of the truck, having not interacted with anyone, and jump straight in the car and go and put a performance in like that, it’s pretty inspiring for everyone in the team to see.”
Damien McCartney is in Darwin as a guest of Tourism and Events Northern Territory.
