CHANGES AT WALKINSHAW RACING
Zak Brown in ownership talks with a Supercars team – Photo: LAT
Zak Brown in ownership talks with Supercars team
By PHIL BRANAGAN
ONE OF the biggest names in international motorsport, McLaren Executive Director Zak Brown, is poised to come to Supercars, as part of a massive ownership shakeup of Walkinshaw Racing.
Brown, who moved into the McLaren role late last year, is in discussions to take a stake in the Melbourne-based Holden team, owned by Martine and Ryan Walkinshaw.
However the Brown move is just one part of a much bigger overhaul for the team, with further details to be revealed in Thursday’s print edition of Auto Action magazine.
As has already been reported, another likely stakeholder in WR is Peter Adderton, co-founder of Boost Mobile, which sponsors the team. US-based Adderton has long-time links with James Courtney, and recently accompanied Ryan Walkinshaw and Courtney’s manager Alan Gow on a visit to McLaren’s Woking, UK headquarters.
Walkinshaw Racing at the Sandown 500 retro round – Photo: LAT
Brown is believed to be looking to expand his United Autosports team, which he co-owns in conjunction with former Formula 3000 racer Richard Dean. UA has a large collection of classic race cars, including nearly a dozen F1 cars, and recently acquired its first Supercar, a Bathurst winning ex-Holden Racing Team Commodore.
Speaking exclusively to AA in Singapore, Brown confirmed his interest in taking a role with WR.
“United Autosports is looking at it,” he said. “We are interested in it. I think it is a great series. I think the Walkinshaw team is a great racing team.”
Ryan Walkinshaw would not comment on the matter, at Sandown telling AA only, “Zak bought a car off us and people are jumping to the wrong conclusions.”
But there is a lot more to the story than this – and more details will be revealed in tomorrow’s edition of Auto Action.
Also make sure you follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or our weekly email newsletter for all the latest updates between issues.
