Supercars: David Reynolds signs with Kelly Grove Racing after Erebus Motorsport split
After leaving Erebus Motorsport just one year into a 10-year deal, 2017 Bathurst 1000 winner David Reynolds has confirmed his new Supercars destination.
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David Reynolds has declared he can be a championship contender in a Ford Mustang with his new team Kelly Grove Racing, putting his shock split from Erebus Motorsport behind him.
After months of speculation over his future, Reynolds has been confirmed as the star signing for the rebranded Kelly Grove Racing in the biggest move of the Supercars off-season.
The 2017 Bathurst 1000 winner jumps into the seat vacated by Rick Kelly, who stepped away from full-time Supercars driving at the end of last season. He joins Andre Heimgartner in the Melbourne-based squad.
But the 35-year-old was bullish about a fresh start with the team he raced for in 2011 and what he could deliver in a Mustang in his return to Ford.
“I am so excited. I was there the other day and they read through their team values and it just feels like everyone just seems really happy, really happy to see me, really positive, willing to build things and go forward,” Reynolds said.
“I haven’t driven a Mustang before but I know that they are probably slightly better than the Holden.
“I’ve seen them (Mustangs) do good things over the last couple of years since they have been a part of the championship and I’ve had to race against them unfortunately, but now I get to be a part of it.
“The championship is all about consistency and consistently being as fast as you can at all times.
“I know (engineer) Alistair (McVean) is there building parts and making stuff happen so you just never know where we could end up. I could definitely see (us being challengers).
“For myself this is really the only team that I wanted to be a part of.”
Reynolds had raced for Erebus since 2016 and claimed a memorable Bathurst 1000 victory with the team in 2017.
But he was not dwelling on the split.
“The last year was really challenging. But that’s all in the past and when you look back you only get a sore neck so I’m only looking forward to positive things,” Reynolds said.
“I think every decision you make at the time is the correct decision for yourself.
“In all honesty, I really enjoyed my time at Erebus Motorsport. I watched them develop into a frontrunning team from the back of the grid and I was part of the journey and I really loved my time there.
“When I look back at it I only try and look at the positive things.”
It was a difficult year for Reynolds on track in 2020, finishing 12th in the championship standings – his worst result since his first season with the team (16th).
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But Reynolds was confident a fresh start could turn his fortunes around.
“Our sport is a science and maths game but it’s also the human element of the confidence in the driver and I’m confident many things are possible,” Reynolds said.
“I’m looking to get that back. It only takes a few good laps or a few good sessions and you can do it again and you are back in the fold.”
It will be a big off-season for Reynolds with partner Tahan expecting the couple’s first child in early February.
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Originally published as Supercars: David Reynolds signs with Kelly Grove Racing after Erebus Motorsport split
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