WAU announce 2023 enduro line up
By Timothy Neal
Date posted: 15 February 2023
Walkinshaw Andretti United (WAU) has announced its 2023 Supercars endurance line up, with Lee Holdsworth and Fabian Coulthard getting the nod.
As suggested by AUTO ACTION, Holdsworth will return to WAU to partner with Chaz Mostert in the #25 Mustang, with the pair having tasted Bathurst 1000 success in 2021.
Coulthard replaces Warren Luff in the #2 Mustang, partnering with Nick Percat, after the Kiwi veteran paired up with Mostert in 2022, meaning Luff’s run of 21 straight Bathurst 1000s could be at an end.
Luff still remains a contracted driver for WAU, as he also continues in his development advisor role in its Super2 program, and says that his 2023 driving plans will be announced in due course.
Coulthard chases Cam Waters in the WAU #25 Holden at the 2022 Bathurst 1000. Image: Mark Horsburgh
Holdsworth returns for his second Bathurst 1000 with WAU following his retirement from full time racing in 2022, after Grove Racing announced that Garth Tander would move into the team to likely co-drive with Matt Payne.
“It’s fantastic to be back at WAU and back alongside Chaz,” Holdsworth said.
“When I hung the helmet up from full-time racing at the end of last year, I wanted to put myself back in the best position possible this endurance season, and that was with WAU…our last race together turned out alright.
“Having the two enduros this year is awesome, and the Sandown 500 is the perfect lead up to Bathurst so it’ll be great to be in the Mobil 1 Optus Racing Mustang.
After taking out Australia’s greatest race in 2021, Holdsworth will reunite with WAU to tackle the 2023 Bathurst 1000 with Chaz Mostert
“There will be a lot to learn for us co-drivers this year with Gen3, so adapting as quickly as possible is going to be really important, so it’s great to be involved this early in the year.”
For Coulthard, he’s excited to be taking out two enduro’s in the new Gen3 Mustang GT in his second year for WAU after getting a P2 at Bathurst in ’22.
“It’s awesome to be back with WAU for another year, and I’m looking forward to teaming up with Nick in the Mobil 1 NTI Racing Mustang,” he said.
“Having two endurance events back on the calendar is great, so the programme really starts now, putting ourselves in the best possible position for later in the year.
“The team have done a great job getting these cars ready over summer, they look incredible, so it will be great to get a few laps at the shakedown to start to understand the new rig – I think it will be really important come endurance season.”
The new #25 Gen3 Mustang that Holdsworth will partner Mostert in for WAU 2023 endurance program
WAU Team Principal Bruce Stewart, is pleased to have such a strong line up with experienced hands across the board.
“It’s fantastic to have Lee back, and Fabian on board again for 2023, to have two drivers of their calibre – and with their experience in our endurance line-up is a real asset to us. It’s an incredibly strong line-up,” he explained.
“Two events mean more on-track time for both drivers, but undoubtedly, their experience behind the wheel will be really important as we all adapt to Gen3 as quickly as possible – so we are lucky to have them.
“Of course, we won’t be letting Luffy go that easily either, he’s going to have a really important role helping our Super2 drivers on and off track, but also, we’re working on what an on-track program for him in 2023 looks like.”
Coulthard will join Percat in his new WAU #2 Mustang at Sandown and Bathurst in 2023
With all the talk of the Supercars Gen3 program making its long awaited debut at the Newcastle 500 in March, it’s been easy to forget the excitement of having the Sandown 500 back on September 15-17, with the 60th anniversary race of the Bathurst 1000 to come in early October.
For more of the latest motorsport news pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION.
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