Returning Kostecki outlines goal for 2024

Returning Supercars champion Brodie Kostecki is eyeing off "big races" in 2024 as he commences his title defence, albeit 575 points down, in New Zealand.

On Friday, Kostecki rolled out his #1 TFH Hire-backed Erebus Motorsport Chevrolet at the ITM Taupō Super400, marking his first competitive laps since last November.

The 26-year-old’s practice laps came just a week after Kostecki got behind the wheel of his Camaro for the first time this year in a test day at Winton Motor Raceway.

Given his chances to winning consecutive titles are slim, Kostecki wants to tick off some other boxes in "big races".

That includes victories at the Sandown 500 and Bathurst 1000, given he finished second in both races last year. However, he will have to do so this year with a yet-to-be-named new co-driver, with David Russell shifting to PremiAir Nulon Racing.

“We’re just taking it step-by-step and I’m confident in the team around me, the boys always do a really good job here,” Kostecki said in a broadcast interview.

"There’s still a few big races I’d like to tick off, and just go from there.”

Kostecki wounded up 12th on the time sheets on Friday, with Walkinshaw Andretti United driver Chaz Mostert leading a Ford top three in the session.

Former teammate Will Brown, who has moved to Triple Eight and leads the championship, believes the field cannot sleep on Kostecki despite the champion being out of the saddle for five months.

“It’s awesome to see him back, he’s a great guy,” Brown said of Kostecki.

“Back in Super2 we used to get into each other — now that we’re not in the same team, we’ll see what happens.

“He does a mega job and he would have prepped well, so we’ll be trying out best to try keep winning.”

Supercars will return to the track on Saturday with Boost Mobile Qualifying at 8:20am AEST/10:20am NZST, followed by the Top Ten Shootout at 10:00am AEST/12:00pm NZST.

The first race of the weekend, the 60-lap Race 7, will start at 1:05pm AEST/3:05pm NZST.