Percat and MSR sticking together
After a successful start, the Nick Percat and Matt Stone Racing partnership has hit the next level with a new long term deal.
Just five rounds into the new deal, Percat has signed an extension and will be locked in at MSR as its team leader until the end of 2027.
It is a sign of strength between the driver and team, who only started racing together at the start of 2024.
Percat’s improvement since joining the small, privateer team after a tough time at Walkinshaw Andretti United has been massive.
In just his second round at MSR, Percat took a drought-breaking victory at Albert Park where he held off Will Brown in a thriller.
That victory was preceded by five straight top 10 finishes, whilst a return to the top five at Darwin means Percat sits a strong fourth in the championship at the midway point of the season.
It is a massive leap forward considering Percat finished 20th in the championship last year.
The new deal means Percat will be 39 when it expires, but being in career best form, he shows no sign of slowing down.
The new deal is proof of how happy Percat feels at MSR.
“I’m extremely excited to have extended my contract with Matt and the MSR family,” enthused Percat.
“From the moment I met the guys and girls at MSR, I knew it was the team I wanted to be at.
“Throughout the season so far everyone has continued to lift and I can see the momentum building.
“I feel I have found a family that I can grow with and continue to get great results; Matt and the team have all the tools in place for success and I’m proud to be a part of it.
“Having a long term deal with MSR means we can build on our great start, and the relationship with the crew and Jack Bellotti will be extremely strong for the years to come.
“It’s very exciting for me to be a part of what we have here at this team and the journey ahead.”
Not only is Percat on track for a career best championship result, but so is MSR, currently sixth in the teams standings, three spots clear of its best of ninth achieved last year.
With Cameron Hill also signing a “multi-year” deal at the end of 2023, MSR will have a stable driver line up for seasons to come.
MSR team boss Matt Stone is already thrilled by the impact Percat has made in five rounds and is excited to see what he can achieve in the next four years.
“Nick has been a fantastic addition to the culture at our team,” he said.
“The results have been solid and we are looking strong in what is a very tight championship this year both in drivers and team’s points.
“It’s great to have Nick locked in for the next few years at MSR, we are excited for what the future holds together.”
The announcement arrives on the eve of the 2024 Townsville 500.
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