Tickford Racing has confirmed the worst kept secret in the new year as reigning Super2 Series winner Declan Fraser will replace Jake Kostecki in the #56 Tradie Ford Mustang.
Kostecki was ousted sensationally following a misdemeanour at the Supercars Gala Awards in December, with this being announced during the week.
Although there is now uncertainty surrounding Kostecki’s future in Supercars as now all the seats have been filled, for Fraser it’s a big opportunity as he leaves Triple Eight Race Engineering where he won the Super2 title and also made his Repco Bathurst 1000 debut.
Partnering veteran and seven-time winner of The Great Race Craig Lowndes, the pair finished eighth in a sensational debut for Fraser.
Tickford Racing continued its steady progress as Cam Waters led the way for Ford in the championship, while veteran James Courtney and impressive full-season rookie Thomas Randle provided strong results at times in 2022.
Fraser is excited for the opportunity after a graduation to the main game appeared unlikely following his Super2 season success.
“It’s a pretty special feeling,” Fraser said.
“At the end of the Super2 season we didn’t really know where we were heading for 2023, so to get the call from Tim and everyone was pretty exciting.
“Getting from Super2 to the main game is a really tough step to make, especially from a financial perspective.
“To have Tim and the team at Tickford Racing offer me this drive on performance is really special.
“It shows that Super2 is a great platform to prepare young drivers for the main game, and I’m really looking forward to the opportunity.
“It’s awesome to be representing TRADIE as well, I’ve actually done four years of apprenticeship and have my tradesman’s certificate as an electrician.
“It’s a funny coincidence, but really cool to partner up with such a fun brand in TRADIE, I can’t wait to get started.”
Tickford Racing Team Principal and CEO Tim Edwards expects Fraser to adapt well to the team in addition to Gen3.
“It’s funny how things work,” Edwards said.
“We went into Adelaide trying to beat Declan in Super2, and here we are a few weeks later preparing him to suit up with us in the main game for 2023.
“This sport works in strange ways sometimes, but Declan has all the qualities you look for in a young driver.
“So we are excited to work with him and are confident he will do a fine job for the team.
“We are very enthusiastic about having him on board and are looking forward to getting him behind the wheel of the TRADIE Ford Mustang in a few short weeks.”
The confirmation also leaves Tickford Racing’s former Super2 driver and Supercars polesitter Zak Best to contest just a few Wildcard events in addition to being an endurance co-driver after recently extending his deal with the squad.