An Erebus Motorsport data engineer has been dismissed from the team following serious legal issues, including charges of assault and making a false report to police. The 20-year-old individual, whose identity has not been publicly released, had initially claimed to have been attacked by three men on William Street in the early hours of Monday morning. This incident occurred just after celebrations for Erebus's significant victory at the Bathurst 1000, where drivers Brodie Kostecki and Todd Hazelwood achieved their first win together.
In the wake of the reported assault, Erebus Motorsport offered a "substantial reward" for information that could assist in the investigation. However, the situation took a dramatic turn when CCTV footage emerged, showing the engineer hitting himself while being followed by a woman. Both the engineer and the woman were subsequently taken to a Bathurst hospital, and emergency services were called to the scene to assess the situation.
New South Wales police released a statement clarifying the findings of their investigation: “Following police inquiries, yesterday (Thursday, October 17, 2024), the man was served with a future court attendance notice for common assault (domestic violence) and false representation, which resulted in a police investigation.” He is set to appear in Bathurst Local Court on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. Police allege that the engineer assaulted a woman known to him and falsely reported an assault against himself.
This engineer had only joined Erebus Motorsport in early September, contributing to the team during a crucial period in the Supercars season. The timing of this incident is particularly unfortunate, as it overshadowed the team’s recent triumph at the Bathurst 1000. Kostecki and Hazelwood's win marked a significant achievement for Erebus, as it was their first victory in the prestigious race since 2017, when David Reynolds and Luke Youlden brought home the title.
During the Bathurst 1000 race, Kostecki and Hazelwood displayed a dominant performance, starting from pole position and leading throughout most of the 161-lap race. Despite a late challenge from Broc Feeney, who shared a Triple Eight-run Chevrolet Camaro with Jamie Whincup, the pair successfully maintained their lead and secured the win, further solidifying Erebus's standing in the Supercars series.
While the team celebrates this momentous victory, the dismissal of the engineer highlights the serious implications of his actions, as well as the team's commitment to integrity and professionalism within the sport. The coming weeks will see the legal proceedings unfold as the former employee prepares to face the charges in court, while Erebus Motorsport focuses on moving forward from this incident and building on their recent successes on the track.
