Why Toyota and Brad Jones Racing have joined forces
By Thomas Miles
Date posted: 10 May 2025
Now it is official, Brad Jones Racing is full of excitement as it prepares to take on 2026 in Toyotas.
With BJR joining homologation team Walkinshaw Andretti United, there will be a strong haul of six Toyota GR Supras on the grid next year.
BJR and WAU have previous experience working together when the former made the switch from Ford to Holden in 2008.
Having previously been reported by Auto Action, the deal was officially announced on Fox Sports ahead of Race 11 at the Tasmania Super440.
Toyota Australia Vice President for Sales and Marketing Sean Hanley was full of excitement.
“We can now announce and put the final piece of the puzzle together and welcome Brad Jones Racing as our team to join WAU and race for Toyota,” he said.
“It is such an exciting time and it gives us great coverage on the grid with six great Supras with the BJR team and homologation team WAU.
“It gives us coverage and we have two wonderful teams coming together.
“BJR stands for everything we stand for. Tenacity, grid and he is a private owner in Supercars for 25 years and over 45 years in racing.
“He cares about people and the brands he represents. This is where we want and we are going to be super competitive.
“Nothing would mean more to us than seeing BJR back at the top of the grid alongwith WAU.
“We are not arrogant and know we have to earn our position and it will take time, but we are going to have a red hot crack.”
Having started with Ford, it will be BJR’s fourth manufacturer switch after jumping to Holden in 2008 and following all GM teams to Chevrolet at the start of the Gen3 era.
Jones said Toyota offered an opportunity that was too good to refuse.
“I am a creature of habit so change is not always easy but once I met with the guys and they took me through that vision it seemed very clear this was a great opportunity I could not miss,” he said.
“Very early days but the brief discussions we have had are really positive.
“I have had a relationship with Walkinshaw in the past and it will be fine. The Toyota will be up there and abouts.
“There is going to be a lot of work to do but very exciting.
“Everyone is pumped about this. It will be a lot of hard work for the guys on the floor to build four new cars.
“But everyone has really embraced the move and starting today we are going to fire even harder.
“Going through the process and manufacturing body panels and getting up to speed.
“Walkinshaw have been really good and its all positive.”
Buy the new issue of Auto Action Premium HERE
Read the new issue of Auto Action Digital HERE
Don’t forget the print edition of Auto Action available via subscription here or you can purchase a copy of the latest issue from one of our outlets here. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine
Recent Stories
array (
0 =>
WP_Term::__set_state(array(
'term_id' => 11,
'name' => 'Latest News',
'slug' => 'latest-news',
'term_group' => 0,
'term_taxonomy_id' => 11,
'taxonomy' => 'category',
'description' => '',
'parent' => 0,
'count' => 16801,
'filter' => 'raw',
'cat_ID' => 11,
'category_count' => 16801,
'category_description' => '',
'cat_name' => 'Latest News',
'category_nicename' => 'latest-news',
'category_parent' => 0,
)),
1 =>
WP_Term::__set_state(array(
'term_id' => 38,
'name' => 'Supercars',
'slug' => 'supercars',
'term_group' => 0,
'term_taxonomy_id' => 38,
'taxonomy' => 'category',
'description' => 'The Supercars Championship, currently known as the Repco Supercars Championship, is the premier motorsport category in Australasia and one of Australia\'s biggest sports. It originated from the Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC), which held its first race in 1960 at Gnoo-Blas in Orange, New South Wales. The ATCC evolved over the years, and in 1997, it was rebranded as the V8 Supercars Championship, eventually becoming the Supercars Championship we know today.
Some of the leading drivers in the history of the Supercars Championship include Peter Brock, who is often referred to as the "King of the Mountain" for his nine victories at the Bathurst 1000, a race that is considered one of the biggest in the series. Other notable drivers include Dick Johnson, Marcos Ambrose, Craig Lowndes, Shane van Gisbergen, Jamie Whincup, who holds the record for the most championship titles, and Mark Skaife, who has also been a dominant force in the series.
The Bathurst 1000, held at Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, is arguably the most famous race in the Supercars calendar. Other significant races include the Sandown 500 and the Adelaide 500, which are known for their challenging circuits and thrilling competitions.
The Supercars Championship has grown to become a globally recognized series, known for its competitive racing and passionate fan base. It continues to be a major part of Australia\'s motorsport culture, attracting top drivers and teams from around the world.',
'parent' => 0,
'count' => 5628,
'filter' => 'raw',
'cat_ID' => 38,
'category_count' => 5628,
'category_description' => 'The Supercars Championship, currently known as the Repco Supercars Championship, is the premier motorsport category in Australasia and one of Australia\'s biggest sports. It originated from the Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC), which held its first race in 1960 at Gnoo-Blas in Orange, New South Wales. The ATCC evolved over the years, and in 1997, it was rebranded as the V8 Supercars Championship, eventually becoming the Supercars Championship we know today.
Some of the leading drivers in the history of the Supercars Championship include Peter Brock, who is often referred to as the "King of the Mountain" for his nine victories at the Bathurst 1000, a race that is considered one of the biggest in the series. Other notable drivers include Dick Johnson, Marcos Ambrose, Craig Lowndes, Shane van Gisbergen, Jamie Whincup, who holds the record for the most championship titles, and Mark Skaife, who has also been a dominant force in the series.
The Bathurst 1000, held at Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, is arguably the most famous race in the Supercars calendar. Other significant races include the Sandown 500 and the Adelaide 500, which are known for their challenging circuits and thrilling competitions.
The Supercars Championship has grown to become a globally recognized series, known for its competitive racing and passionate fan base. It continues to be a major part of Australia\'s motorsport culture, attracting top drivers and teams from around the world.',
'cat_name' => 'Supercars',
'category_nicename' => 'supercars',
'category_parent' => 0,
)),
2 =>
WP_Term::__set_state(array(
'term_id' => 2029,
'name' => 'ZZZ-Email',
'slug' => 'email',
'term_group' => 0,
'term_taxonomy_id' => 2029,
'taxonomy' => 'category',
'description' => '',
'parent' => 2031,
'count' => 7357,
'filter' => 'raw',
'cat_ID' => 2029,
'category_count' => 7357,
'category_description' => '',
'cat_name' => 'ZZZ-Email',
'category_nicename' => 'email',
'category_parent' => 2031,
)),
3 =>
WP_Term::__set_state(array(
'term_id' => 2031,
'name' => 'ZZZ-RSSFeeds',
'slug' => 'zzz-rssfeeds',
'term_group' => 0,
'term_taxonomy_id' => 2031,
'taxonomy' => 'category',
'description' => '',
'parent' => 0,
'count' => 6712,
'filter' => 'raw',
'cat_ID' => 2031,
'category_count' => 6712,
'category_description' => '',
'cat_name' => 'ZZZ-RSSFeeds',
'category_nicename' => 'zzz-rssfeeds',
'category_parent' => 0,
)),
)
