Suddenly, everything has changed for the 2018 Supercars season.
Walkinshaw Racing is set to become a powerhouse again after IndyCar outfit Andretti Autosport and McLaren Formula One chief Zak Brown’s United Autosports confirmed they would buy into the battling Holden team.
From January 1 the team will be known as Walkinshaw Andretti Autosport, pending Supercars approval.
WR team boss Ryan Walkinshaw and Michael Andretti will be equal stakeholders, with Brown holding a minority share.
It is a game-changer for the forgotten former factory-backed outfit, which now has all the resources to return to the Supercars summit.
Andretti is part of American racing royalty. And Brown? He was the man touted to take over from Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone.
“Today is the beginning of a new era. We are still firmly focused on the job at hand for 2017, but are eagerly looking forward to 2018,” Walkinshaw said.
“This combination of international expertise is a pivotal step in accelerating our development, getting us where we need to be.
“We’ve been looking for partners who can add value to this team, both on and off the track, so to find that so resoundingly is the most pleasing element.
“It’s not only an alliance of technical expertise, but commercial prowess.
“Their experience, knowledge and record, both on and off the race track, gives us, our current partners, and any future partners, access to global networks and talent pools.”
Andretti – the son of motorsport great Mario – is also one of the most successful drivers in American open wheel history.
Since retiring from driving, Andretti began his own IndyCar team which features his son Marco as well as a team in the FIA Formula E Championship and the Global Rallycross Championship.
Michael will be trackside for Sunday’s Bathurst 1000 at Mount Panorama.
It is a monumental coup for WR, whose future appeared in doubt when they lost their Holden backing after 26 years in a shock move announced last year.
The team that had once enjoyed the success of greats Peter Brock, Mark Skaife and Craig Lowndes are a shell of their former selves.
Drivers Scott Pye and James Courtney are 18th and 19th respectively in the drivers’ standings heading into Bathurst.
Walkinshaw Racing – once the Supercars pacesetters – are a distant sixth in the teams’ championship.
They have been led by Mathew Nilsson following team principal Adrian Burgess’ dumping in May.
“I have always set a goal for Andretti Autosport to diversify and succeed across multiple platforms, and this opportunity is a natural next step for the team as we continue to expand globally,” Andretti said.
“Together with Walkinshaw Racing and United Autosports, we now have three iconic organisations working together.
“We are determined to succeed, and I have full confidence that this new venture, Walkinshaw Andretti United, will become a leading Supercars team.”
