WAU best comes at key time for Percat

A best qualifying result in Walkinshaw Andretti United colours has come at a critical time for off contract Nick Percat.

Percat impressed on Sunday at the OTR SuperSprint to qualify fourth for Race 22, out-qualifying teammate Chaz Mostert.

The 2011 Bathurst winner joined WAU last year after a strong stint with Brad Jones Racing.

However, life back in the Walkinshaw fold hasn’t gone to plan for Percat, who is languishing in 23rd in the 2023 standings.

In 54 starts since joining WAU last year, Percat has 12 top 10 finishes to his name, and 11 top 10 qualifying efforts in 56 attempts.

Critically, two of those top 10 qualifying results came on Sunday, Percat qualifying 10th and fourth in Sunday’s two qualifying sessions at The Bend — the latter his best qualifying result with WAU to date.

While saying the Sunday speed was “nice”, the South Australian-born driver ceded he will be on the move in 2024.

“It’s good, you don’t just randomly forget how to drive," Percat said.

'You don’t just randomly forget how to drive'

"It’s nice. Mechanically we’ve had no little Gen3 issues so it has been really good and the team is working well.

"When you’re looking for a spot next year, it’s nice to throw it up the front there.”

The likes of Fabian Coulthard and Ryan Wood have been linked to the drive, with the former to partner Percat in the 2023 enduros.

The 2024 silly season has accelerated in recent weeks, with Will Brown replacing Shane van Gisbergen at Triple Eight. Matt Stone Racing veteran Jack Le Brocq has, in turn, shifted to Erebus Motorsport to replace Brown.

Earlier this week, WAU Team Principal Bruce Stewart said his team wants clarity over its 2024 line-up by the next round at Sandown.

Percat is one of the most experienced drivers on the grid, and reiterated he can do the job when he has the tools at his disposal to do so.

"I’m not driving for my life, no,” Percat continued.

"I know what I can do behind the wheel of a car when they’re all spot on. It just shows that when it all works out, you’re back to where you normally are."

Race 21 will commence at 12:50pm local time/1:20pm AEST, with Race 22 concluding the OTR SuperSprint at 3:50pm local time/4:20pm AEST.