Percat targets double WAU Bathurst top five
Should Walkinshaw Andretti United again be on the pace in Bathurst, Nick Percat sees no reason why both cars can’t be in the top five.
WAU won last year’s Great Race in a canter with Chaz Mostert and Lee Holdsworth.
Such was WAU’s overall pace, preparation and execution, that Bryce Fullwood and Warren Luff finished fifth.
The team arguably has a better driver line-up this year, with Fabian Coulthard joining Mostert.
Percat has been paired with Luff, who has scored six Great Race podiums.
The quartet comprises 58 Bathurst starts, three victories and 13 podiums.
WAU and Percat, in particular, have turned a corner of late.
Percat scored dual top 10 finishes at Pukekohe and finally demonstrated competitive qualifying pace.
In 26 qualifying sessions heading to Pukekohe, Percat had only qualified in the top 10 on five occasions.
Should the pace turnaround be genuine, and considering WAU’s focus on Bathurst, Percat is aiming high.
It comes after Mostert's engineer Adam De Borre stated the team wasn't keen to be one-hit Bathurst wonders.
“I can’t see, if the cars are as good as they were last year, why we can’t both be in the top five,” Percat told Supercars’ Cool Down Lap podcast.
“Especially with Luffy, that guy loves a podium up there.
“We’ll give it a big crack, it’s been a poor year from my side.
“If we get a good result there, Gold Coast and Adelaide will be big.”
Mostert has scored podiums at each of the last three events, and is fifth in the points.
The focus now shifts to Mount Panorama, where WAU was near on unbeatable last December.
However, WAU Team Principal Bruce Stewart kept a lid on the hype.
“Yes we are, but that was last year,” Stewart said when quipped WAU is the reigning winner.
“Our goals for our team are a little bit loftier than one for a three race event.
“You take it, because when this sport kicks you in the guts, it’s hard.
“I’m happy we’ve got some momentum, let’s see what we can do at Bathurst."
Percat turned a corner on pace in NZ
Key to WAU’s Bathurst chances will be having two cars in the fight, with a number of teams expected to feature at the front.
A pacy Percat could prove key to WAU’s hopes, and the 2011 Bathurst winner was pleased with the progress shown in New Zealand.
“We changed a couple of things in the car that we found post-Sandown,” he said.
“That’s been a niggling drama for a couple of rounds, and it hurt us.
“It’s not a new part or anything, but we changed one thing and it gave me a bit more feel in the rear of the car.
“Off we went, back to where we should’ve been."
Percat is 15th overall heading to Bathurst, but is just 155 points from 10th, with Bathurst worth 300 points for the winners.
Tickets for the Repco Bathurst 1000 are available on Supercars.com and Ticketek.
