WAU retains Holdsworth, Coulthard for enduros
WAU confirms Lee Holdsworth, Fabian Coulthard for enduros
Holdsworth to race with Chaz Mostert, Coulthard with Ryan Wood
Veteran Warren Luff remains contracted with WAU
Lee Holdsworth and Fabian Coulthard will return with Walkinshaw Andretti United for the 2024 enduros, the team has announced.
Holdsworth and Coulthard raced with Chaz Mostert and Nick Percat respectively at last year’s Penrite Oil Sandown 500 and Repco Bathurst 1000.
Coulthard returns for a third season with the team, having finished second in the 2022 Great Race with Mostert.
The Kiwi has been paired with rookie Ryan Wood in the #2 Mobil 1 Truck Assist Ford Mustang, with Holdsworth returning alongside Mostert.
In two campaigns together in 2021 and 2023, Mostert and Holdsworth emerged as a leading combination, scoring a win (2021) and fourth (2023) at Mount Panorama.
Holdsworth and Coulthard will be in attendance with WAU at the pre-season test day at Winton Motor Raceway on Wednesday February 7.
WAU also confirmed Warren Luff, who raced for the team between 2014 and 2022, will remain as a contracted driver. Luff also returns as a WAU Foundation Academy Driver Development Advisor, overseeing the team’s Dunlop Series squad.
Luff, a six-time Bathurst podium-finisher, was loaned out to Team 18 for the 2023 enduros alongside Pye, with WAU stating his 2024 driving plans will be announced in due course.
“We are absolutely rapt to have both Fabian and Lee back on board with the team again in 2024,” WAU CEO Bruce Stewart said.
"There is no doubt the calibre of these drivers puts us in a really strong position alongside Ryan and Chaz come endurance season.
“Both Lee and Fabian recognise the path we are on as a team and want to be a part of that, they fit in to our culture very well — so we are really lucky to have them.
“We’re working on what an on-track program for Luffy in 2024 looks like, he’s been instrumental in helping develop our Super2 and Foundation Academy drivers here at WAU and will continue to do so this season.
“We have a big season ahead of us, but it will be fantastic to have Fabian, Lee and Warren immersed in the team. While there’s still a lot to play out before endurance season, we are really excited to see what the year brings.”
Coulthard, who raced full-time between 2007 and 2021, said: “I’m excited to be back for another year with the WAU team and to be driving alongside a fellow Kiwi, Ryan, for his first Bathurst 1000 in the Mobil 1 Truck Assist Racing Mustang is pretty special.
“I’ll be spending a lot of time with the team and Ryan this year, we have already hit the ground running together, but it will be really important to make sure we gel together as much as possible coming into Sandown and Bathurst.
“The team have done an awesome job getting these cars ready, they look incredible, I’m looking forward to seeing how the cars have evolved over the summer break.”
Holdsworth added: “It’s great to be back with my partner in crime, Chaz and the WAU family in the Mobil 1 Optus Racing Mustang.
“When you’re teaming up with a mate, it’s enjoyable and it tends to bring out the best in me. Chaz and I have a lot of fun together, but it’s all business once the visor goes down. We’re as hungry as ever for the top step after just missing out on the Bathurst podium last year.
“With just two endurance events on the calendar, it’s ultra important you’re comfortable with the car and team, so the continuity helps. WAU have been working overtime in the off-season, so I’m looking forward to feeling how the car performs at Winton this week to kick off the year.”
The Penrite Oil Sandown 500 will be held on September 20-22, before the Repco Bathurst 1000 on October 10-13. The new season will commence on February 23-25 at the Thrifty Bathurst 500.
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