Walkinshaw Racing to Run Fourth Car in 2014

Walkinshaw Racing has confirmed it will expand to four Holdens for the 2014 V8 Supercars Championship.

The additional entry will be driven by 2011 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 winner Nick Percat, who steps into his first full-time V8 Supercars drive.

The fourth Commodore will run under the James Rosenberg-owned Racing Entitlements Contract and joins the existing cars in the Walkinshaw Racing stable – the two Holden Racing Team cars of Garth Tander and James Courtney, and the Supercheap Auto Racing Commodore that will be driven by recent-signing Tim Slade.

Percat, who contested three endurance race campaigns with Tander and HRT, expressed his appreciation to the people who created the opportunity.

“To know that I will finally be on the V8 Supercars main series grid next year is a dream come true, something I’ve been working towards since I was five years old,” Percat said.

“I can’t thank James Rosenberg enough for giving me the chance, and all the people at Walkinshaw Racing for having faith in me.

“The opportunity also couldn’t come at a better time as the trend at WR is encouraging – the cars are showing great speed, and some very talented, experienced and successful new staff are coming on board next year, who will only add strength to the organisation.”

After backing Slade’s career in V8 Supercars for the past five years, James Rosenberg has grasped the chance to support another talented driver’s aspirations.

“There’s a lot of personal satisfaction in helping young drivers – being part of Tim’s career has given me great pleasure and I look forward to more of the same with a talented driver in Nick Percat,” Rosenberg said.

“As part of that, I’m extremely happy to partner with such a successful racing organisation as Walkinshaw Racing.”

Walkinshaw Racing Chairman Ryan Walkinshaw said the expansion to four cars not only makes commercial sense, it will also improve the team’s on-track potential.

“Running a four car model clearly makes more sense for our business and gives us a greater opportunity as a group to win races,” Walkinshaw said.

“It gives us the ability to create an environment where all four drivers are pushing each other for results.” 

Walkinshaw said partnering with Rosenberg boosts the whole team, while Percat’s elevation to the V8 Supercars main game was a natural progression for the talented driver. 

"James is an extremely successful businessman who is passionate about motorsport, and has a fine reputation for fostering young talent – we look forward to a successful relationship,” he said.

“Nick has been a Walkinshaw Racing-supported driver since 2007 and giving him an opportunity in the main game has always been part of our strategy.

“Nick has a tremendous amount of natural talent and I look forward to watching his progress.” 

Percat will have his first solo V8 Supercars drive when he fills in for the injured James Courtney in the #22 Holden Racing Team Commodore at next weekend’s Sydney NRMA Motoring and Services 500.

Last month, Walkinshaw told v8supercars.com.au he was considering running a fourth car for Percat, if he could secure appropriate funding.

Walkinshaw stablemates Courtney and Tander immediately took to Twitter to congratulate the young gun: