WAU adds Toyota 86 to racing portfolio

Walkinshaw Andretti United had added a Toyota 86 program to its growing motorsport portfolio.

WAU runs two Ford Mustangs in Supercars and two Holden ZB Commodores in the Dunlop Series.

From 2023, it will also field an entry in Toyota 86, with one of its own mechanics as the driver.

Matt Hillyer will represent WAU in the one-make category as part of the establishment of the WAU Foundation Academy.

The new academy is "a pipeline for young talent, from mechanics and drivers to commercial staff and engineers”.

Hillyer is a first-year apprentice in subassembly for the team, but has also proven a solid racer.

He recently won the first round of the Australian Formula Ford Series, and also won last year’s Victorian Formula Ford Championship.

WAU also expanded into Super2 this year

Hillyer will first race in the new Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia (TGRA) Scholarship Series, essentially the second-tier of the category.

“I am really excited to be joining Walkinshaw Andretti United in the Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia 86 Series,” Hillyer said.

“To be a part of their debut entrance in the series is pretty cool; I’m really looking forward to seeing what we can do together this year on track.

“To be working here for the last 18 months has been amazing to experience to understand how the team operates.

“We know each other well, so we can really get to work from the start and see what we can achieve in the Scholarship Series first up.”

Team Principal Bruce Stewart added: “The WAU Foundation Academy aims to aid the progression of young talent in motorsport in Australia.

“That is everything from drivers to mechanics, engineers, and commercial staff.

“A pathway to bring these people to the elite level is essential to the future of our sport.

“Matt is a fantastic example of this. He’s not only an extremely talented driver who we see a bright future with on-track but has been a real asset to us working with the team.

“This also gives us the opportunity to give hands on race experience to a number of younger staff across all areas of a race team, which is invaluable going forward.”

The series launches at Sydney Motorsport Park on April 13.

The Scholarship Series’ first round will be held at the Sydney venue on April 14-16, with the Toyota 86 season starting in Townsville in July.