Bathurst-winning engineer McPherson's track return

Decorated engineer Grant McPherson admitted he “missed” the rush of being at the track as he readies for his first event with Walkinshaw Andretti United.

McPherson confirmed a high-profile move away from Red Bull Ampol Racing at the end of 2020.

He arrives at WAU with serious form under his belt; his last start wearing the engineer’s headphones resulted in a Bathurst 1000 win for Shane van Gisbergen and Garth Tander.

The man known as 'Shippy' , who also enjoyed a successful stint with Ford Performance Racing, has joined WAU as the team’s Head of Performance.

WATCH: NINE SEARING DARWIN MOMENTS

It marks a key moment in the season for WAU, with Chaz Mostert clinging on to third in the standings.

McPherson’s former partner-in-crime van Gisbergen is 246 points ahead of Mostert.

“It’s good to be back, it’s been a long time since I’ve been at the track,” McPherson told Supercars.com.

“I really missed it, and I’m looking forward to getting out there tomorrow.

“Everyone in the team has been incredibly welcoming, but they’ve got the right attitude.

McPherson helped van Gisbergen to Bathurst victory last October

“They’re keen about performance, they’re keen for improvement, and they’re keen for new ideas.

“We’ve got a great launching pad for the rest of the year.”

Exactly eight months, or 243 days, have passed since McPherson coached van Gisbergen to his remarkable Bathurst win last October.

Since then, McPherson has patiently waited to join the WAU fold, and has worked behind the scenes at the team’s Clayton workshop before making his track debut this weekend.

For an engineer as decorated and as respected as McPherson, the time away felt like a lifetime.

McPherson has worked with some of the sport's biggest names

“It’s a long time to sit on the couch,” he laughed.

“When you’re used to being there and getting right into it, it makes it feel like it’s been a long time.

“I’m really looking forward to getting started here."

McPherson spent seven successful years in the FPR fold, before a highly successful stint with Triple Eight.

There, he won the 2016 championship with van Gisbergen, and skippered last year’s stunning Great Race win.

WAU has already tasted success in 2021

He arrives at WAU as one of the sharpest minds in pit lane, and is armed to help WAU to its first title since Mark Skaife in 2002.

“Chaz is sitting third in the championship; we’ve got everything we need to compete at the very front, every weekend” McPherson said.

“It’s not about bringing set-ups; it’s about bringing process and setting a direction in that regard.

“I’ll be trying to mark sure we’re always improving and learning from every adjustment and every step we make.”

The Repco Supercars Championship field will return to the Northern Territory this weekend for the Merlin Darwin Triple Crown. Tickets are available here.

The event will be broadcast live on Foxtel and will be streamed on Kayo, and will be broadcast live and free on Seven.