Walkinshaw: We can control our destiny with Toyota
Ryan Walkinshaw excited by prospect of leading Toyota into Supercars
WAU co-owner admitted to frustrations surrounding DJR-homologated Mustangs
Two WAU Supras to be joined by four BJR Supras on 2026 grid
The excitement in leading the homologation of the new Toyota GR Supra program that will enter the Repco Supercars Championship in 2026 is a stark contrast to Ford frustrations according to Ryan Walkinshaw.
The co-owner of Walkinshaw Andretti United has been rarely sighted in the Supercars paddock this year amidst a busy year for the wider Walkinshaw Group, who are exploring opportunities for international expansion.
Walkinshaw was on hand at Townsville, where he revealed that the first GR Supra is expected to hit the track by the end of August, before travelling to Melbourne to inspect the new Walkinshaw Group headquarters set to open in the coming weeks.
The WAU Supercars operation is scheduled to move into the new facility, which has cost in excess of $100m to build, in April next year, in what is set to be a pivotal season in the history of the Walkinshaw family in racing.
The former Holden factory team are set to return to homologation status for the first time since 2016, with Walkinshaw admitting on the Rusty's Garage podcast that frustrations had been building since their switch to Ford in 2023.
"It's a really, really exciting opportunity for us to try and be competitive in our own right, try and have control of our own destiny, which is always a problem when you're not the homologation team," said Walkinshaw.
"You're always putting your hopes on another team doing the best job they can to make sure you're going to be as competitive on track, and we have got burned by that the past couple of years with engines and with aero, which has been frustrating."
Ford entrusted Dick Johnson Racing with homologation duties for the new Mustang, having been responsible for the introduction of the dominant Gen2 Mustang in 2019.
However, the Ford has generally been outperformed by the Triple Eight-homologated Chevrolet Camaro in the Gen3 era, whilst DJR themselves have slumped within Ford ranks.
Ford Performance decided changes were necessary, making the bombshell announcement that Triple Eight would become their homologation team on the eve of the Bathurst 12 Hour.
Walkinshaw has pointed to the ability of steering the ship for the Japanese powerhouse as a big benefactor in making the leap, whilst the additional four Supras to be run by Brad Jones Racing will provide weight in numbers.
"Having that control over our own destiny, having a good team support us in BJR as well, it's a really, really good opportunity for us to go and try and fight for championships again over many years, so that's the focus."
