Motorsport giant Andretti Racing teams up with Walkinshaw to resurrect the once mighty team
THE future of Australia’s greatest V8 team has been assured by a multimillion-dollar deal that brings American racing giant Michael Andretti Down Under.
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THE future of Australia’s greatest V8 team has been assured by a multimillion-dollar deal that brings another American racing giant join on to the Australian Supercars scene.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal Walkinshaw Racing has sold a multi-million stake in the iconic Aussie team to US heavyweight Andretti Racing to help resurrect the outfit formerly known as the Holden Racing Team as a V8 force.
Team owner Ryan Walkinshaw confirmed he would sell a non-controlling stake in the famous two-car team to Andretti Racing and another portion of the business to McLaren Group heavy hitter Zak Brown.
US legend Michael Andretti — owner of Andretti Racing — will bring NASCAR racing technology to Australia in a bid to bring down his American Indy rival, US billionaire Roger Penske, on Australian circuits like Mount Panorama.
“We have been looking for a strategic partner for the past 12 months,’’ Walkinshaw said.
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“We had an introduction to Michael and it very quickly made a lot of sense. Zac then came on board to make it a truly international partnership. This is going to be a game changer.’’
In his first interview as a Supercars team owner, Andretti — a CART racing legend and former Formula One driver — declared he would return Walkinshaw Racing to their glory days after Holden stripped it of factory backing and the famous Holden Racing Team name.
“I am in the business of racing and we are constantly looking for opportunities. This was a fantastic opportunity,’’ said Andretti, who has eyes on instant success down under.
“For sure. We can do that and we have a lot of ideas already. There are things that we can do that will certainly help. We are coming here to win. I wouldn’t be here otherwise.’’
The son of legend Marco Andretti said he would deliver state-of-the-art NASCAR technology to the series in a no-expenses-spared bid to send Walkinshaw Racing to the top of the V8 pile.
“We are going to be hands on,’’ Andretti said.
‘We have our technical director down here already and he has a lot of experience in NASCAR. He has a tonne of ideas about what he can bring from NASCAR. He only left NASCAR last year and he is the guy that is responsible for turning one of the big teams around. He has a lot of things he has learned that he hopefully will put in place here.’’
Walkinshaw, who took over the famous team when his father Tom passed away in 2010, said he would deliver on his promise to make his dad’s team great again.
The Holden Racing Team won 179 races and six championships in a golden era led by legends Peter Brock, Mark Skaife and Craig Lowndes.
“We certainly hope so,’’ Walkinshaw said.
“We have to now make sure we deliver on it. There has been a lot of work getting to this point but the real work is just starting. We have to start working together and delivering solution to the race team that will deliver results. It won’t change over night but we are adamant it will.’’
Andretti has also made it his mission to secure a new manufacturer for the team after the Holden walkout.
ANDRETTI V PENKSE: THIS MEANS WAR
MICHAEL Andretti has declared war on Roger Penske after buying a stake in Walkinshaw Racing to bring their US rivalry to Australian racetracks.
Signing on to become the second US-based Supercars team owner in deal he predicted could spark an American V8 invasion, Andretti said the lure of beating long time IndyCar rival Penske in another country was a factor in his decision.
US billionaire Penske bought into Dick Johnson Racing in a partnership that has taken DJR-Team Penske to the top of the championship table.
“I am looking forward to that fight,’’ Andretti said.
“Roger raised the bar (in Supercars) and now we have to come in and beat him. I am always looking to take on Roger anytime I can. This sounded like a good opportunity to come out and beat him.’’
Speaking for the first time about travelling 15,000 kilometres to start an Australian fight with Penske, the CART legend and America’s third most successful open wheel driver jumped at the chance to own a Supercars team.
“I know all about Supercars,’’ Andretti said.
“Believe it or not there is a huge following in the States. We follow it. Every racing magazine in the US carries Supercars stories. And plus I knew Penske and that was an incentive too.’’
Andretti will arm Walkinshaw Racing with Andretti Racing’s full technical arsenal and send his best engineers to Australia to develop the supercar.
“It won’t change overnight,’’ Andretti said.
“It took Roger a year before he started to get a result. But we will be doing all we can.’’
Ryan Walkinshaw described the part sale to Andretti as a coup that could help reel in front runner DJR Team Penske.
“Hopefully we can do it a little quicker than Roger,’’ Walkinshaw said.
“What is important is getting the right strategy to get the pace. That will filter down onto the track.’’