Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 winners David Reynolds and Luke Youlden appear set to defend their crown together despite suggestions of a change to Erebus Motorsport’s Pirtek Enduro Cup pairings.
The Melbourne squad is yet to officially confirm its driver pairings having re-signed the experienced Youlden and secured the services of rising star Will Brown.
Both drivers were on hand to conduct laps at Friday’s pre-season test at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Reynolds hinted after the test that he would have a new co-driver during an interview with Fox Sports News, but Erebus team manager Barry Ryan has told Speedcafe.com that he expects Youlden to return to the #9 Holden for the enduros.
New signing Brown is likely to team up with the team’s young gun Anton De Pasquale.
Reynolds and Youlden formed a strong partnership last season culminating in an impressive run to victory at Mount Panorama.
“We are still evaluating it but we know it works with Dave and Luke last year,” Ryan told Speedcafe.com.
“The intention would be to put Dave and Luke together but if Will does an exceptional job and ticks all the boxes we might make that decision.
“It is most likely that Luke will partner Dave as his experience will count at Bathurst.
“We will make a decision when it is time to but there is no reason for it not to be Luke.”
The Pirtek Enduro Cup field is taking shape with half the field already confirming enduro driver signings.
Shell V-Power Racing, Tekno Autosports, Brad Jones Racing, Nissan Motorsport, Matt Stone Racing and 23Red Racing are yet to make official announcements.
The reigning teams’ champions are expected to name an unchanged line-up of Tony D’Alberto and Alex Premat, with Jonathon Webb tipped to partner Jack Le Brocq at Tekno.
Ash Walsh and Macauley Jones are in the frame to drive at Brad Jones Racing, while David Wall, Dean Fiore, Garry Jacobson and Alex Rullo are thought to be in the mix at Nissan Motorsport.
Alex Davison has emerged as a candidate to drive alongside his brother Will Davison at 23Red Racing.
Retired Supercars full-timer Jason Bright has been touted as a possibility for the ride at Matt Stone Racing given the team has secured a Racing Entitlements Contract from Bright to run Todd Hazelwood in Supercars this year.
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