Betty’s larrikin slaying giants
BATHURST champion David Reynolds and his Erebus Motorsport boss Betty Klimenko are Supercars’ odd couple who are taking the fight to the big budget teams.
Right now Reynolds is the man of the moment in Australian motorsport.
He is the loveable, quirky character who has driven supremely all year.
Klimenko is the adopted daughter of Westfield co-founder, the late John Saunders, who isn’t afraid to be different.
Reynolds landed at Erebus ahead of last season after being brutally dumped by Prodrive Racing Australia in favour of rookie Cameron Waters, despite the incumbent finishing third in the 2015 championship.
That axing took place less than a month after Reynolds infamously referred to a Bathurst wildcard entry of Simona De Silvestro and Renee Gracie as “the pussy wagon”.
He acknowledged he stepped over the line and learnt from his mistake but Erebus have embraced his larrikin nature rather than placing him on a short leash – something Reynolds believes has paid dividends.
“Betty has been phenomenal to me,” the 32-year-old told the Bulletin, days after teaming up with Gold Coast driver Luke Youlden to win the coveted Peter Brock Trophy.
“She has let me be myself and do whatever I want to do. There is a lot of merit to that because I feel very happy outside the car. I am not under pressure full-time.
“It’s a really, really invigorating feeling. Similar with everyone in the team – they all work bloody hard but they have a lot of freedom and it’s a really fun atmosphere.”
Reynolds in July extended his Erebus contract and is determined to ensure their new-found success is no flash in the pan.
“We have ticked a large box over the weekend but we still technically haven’t had a pole position this year,” he said.
“That’s the one thing I want to tick off.
“Looking forward in years to come we want to be a true contender in the championship.”
Qualifying this year has been utterly dominated by Scott McLaughlin but based on 2016 form – and that of late – Reynolds could be in the mix for a pole next weekend at the Gold Coast 600.
The site of his maiden Supercars victory, he qualified fifth and third at Surfers Paradise last year only for both races to be brought undone by errors made by then co-driver Craig Baird.
“I love that track,” Reynolds said.
“Lately our base set-up has been pretty on the money and we have just had to tune it from there so you might be able to expect more good results.”