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Percat's first impression of new WAU 'weapon'

22 Feb 2022
'It's so different to what I've had the last five years'
2 mins by James Pavey
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Nick Percat says a "muscle memory" tweak on his behalf may be needed following his first laps aboard a Walkinshaw Andretti United car.

Victorian teams took to Winton Motor Raceway at Winton pre-season testing on Tuesday.

There, WAU recruit Percat turned his first laps aboard his new-for-2022 Mobil 1 NTI Racing Commodore.

  • Gallery: Winton pre-season testing

  • Victorian teams begin Winton pre-season testing

As it did in testing 12 months ago, the heat settled on Winton, making for an uncomfortable day behind the wheel.

However, it didn’t deter Percat from quickly finding his feet with his new car, which he described as a "weapon".

Still, Percat noted key differences to the Brad Jones Racing Commodore he drove for five years.

Minor differences, such as seat position and dash layout, have the 253-race veteran well aware of potential driving adjustments.

"My initial thoughts were that I have a pretty good weapon to work with,” the 2011 Bathurst winner told Supercars.com.

"Today's about dialling myself in with how the team sets up their cars.

"Even after a few laps, it was pretty exciting. The way the WAU car is set-up versus the BJR is a lot different.

"Ergonomically, it's a lot different; when you sit in it, you wouldn't think it's a ZB [Commodore].

"The dash is in a different position, the layout is different... it's so different to what I've had the last five years.

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"Some muscle memory stuff needs to change.”

WAU’s acquisition of Percat came just months before the team cantered to Bathurst victory with Chaz Mostert.

On Tuesday, WAU confirmed Fabian Coulthard and Warren Luff will be the team’s co-drivers for this year’s Great Race.

Percat was excited to form a "super couple" with Mostert as WAU chases its first teams’ championship since 2009.

How they achieve that is incumbent on both drivers racing at the front, something Percat is well aware of.

As such, Tuesday’s test day presents a crucial opportunity to learn the WAU ‘language’ rather than impose himself.

"We obviously want to win the teams' championship," said Percat, who will be led by Bathurst-winning engineer Geoffrey Slater.

"Chaz will be in fine form come the first lap in first practice in Sydney.

"I need to be at least close to what he's doing... I don't need to re-engineer the thing and get distracted.

"I need to learn the processes, learn the philosophy. That's one of the most important things of what we do.

"Hopefully after a few races I'll be at least alongside [Mostert] on the grid."

Percat will make his WAU debut at next weekend’s Beaurepaires Sydney SuperNight. Tickets are on sale now.

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