Mostert underlines importance of Supra laps after global journey
Chaz Mostert signals importance of maiden Supra laps after global journey
Walkinshaw TWG Racing shook down new Mostert Toyota on Monday
Car returned from United States after wind tunnel testing in December
Monday's shakedown was a milestone in many ways for Walkinshaw TWG Racing, which put miles on Chaz Mostert’s new Toyota GR Supra in Ipswich.
The Mostert car has been on a unique journey to Round 1 in Sydney, having already been to the United States and and back.
Chassis WR 032 was the Supra which headed to the US to take part in aerodynamic testing last December at the Windshear wind tunnel.
It then returned to Australia, and just a day after its new colours were revealed to the world, Mostert hit the track in sweltering conditions in Ipswich.
The 2025 Supercars champion only turned a handful of laps in the morning in a show of confidence for his team, before further engine comparison testing.
The Walkinshaw TWG Toyota and Triple Eight Ford Mustang will then head to Bathurst this weekend, where they’ll share the track with a Team 18 Camaro.
It continues a series of tight timelines for the Walkinshaw team, which has also been assembling Toyota engines before sending them to Brisbane to be run on a dynamiter and signed off by Supercars.
“Just getting here was a big rush for the guys… the time limit to get the car here was quite tricky,” Mostert told 7News Queensland.
“Important for us to have that shakedown this morning, just to finish off a few things that we probably didn't get much time to go over at the workshop.
“So, we'll see how we go with SMP [Sydney Motorsport Park].”
Mostert’s teammate Ryan Wood will steer chassis WR 030, which performed demonstration laps at Bathurst, Gold Coast and Adelaide at the end of 2025.
WR 030 has also been subject to laps upon laps of engine testing, with the likes of Mostert, Wood, Andre Heimgartner and Macauley Jones also getting behind the wheel.
Having opted to keep the #1 as a tribute to his team, Mostert is now set on hanging onto it, and winning Toyota’s first race.
“The challenge is like every other year, just trying to win the number one in the first place,” Mostert said.
“Been waiting a lot of years to do it. It'll be just as hard to try and keep it, but just looking forward to taking each race as it comes and try and get that first win for Toyota. It’ll be really, really special.
“Looking forward to the first round, and that'll be our first opportunity to try and do that, and we'll see where we end up towards the end of the year.”
The season-opening DUNLOP Sydney 500 from February 20-22 will comprise of a 100km Friday night sprint race, and two 200km refuelling races on Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets for the event, including free entry for all fans on DUNLOP Free Friday, are on sale now.
