Nick Percat has secured his first full-time V8 Supercars drive with Walkinshaw Racing announcing it will field four Holdens in next years’ championship.
Percat will drive under the James Rosenberg-owned Racing Entitlements Contract which moves from Erebus Motorsport at the end of the 2013 season.
“To know that I will finally be on the V8 Supercars main series grid next year is a dream come true, something I’ve been working towards since I was five years old,” Percat said.
“I can’t thank James Rosenberg enough for giving me the chance, and all the people at Walkinshaw Racing for having faith in me.
“The opportunity also couldn’t come at a better time as the trend at WR is encouraging – the cars are showing great speed, and some very talented, experienced and successful new staff are coming on board next year, who will only add strength to the organisation.”
Rosenberg’s switch to Walkinshaw Racing keeps him in the same stable as Tim Slade, the driver he’s backed for the past five years. Slade recently announced he will leave Erebus Motorsport at the end of the year to replace the outgoing Russell Ingall in the Supercheap Auto Racing Commodore from 2014, bringing to an end his five-year association with Rosenberg.
“There’s a lot of personal satisfaction in helping young drivers – being part of Tim’s career has given me great pleasure and I look forward to more of the same with a talented driver in Nick Percat,” Rosenberg said.
“As part of that, I’m extremely happy to partner with such a successful racing organisation as Walkinshaw Racing.”
Walkinshaw Racing chairman Ryan Walkinshaw said the expansion to four cars not only makes commercial sense, it will also improve the team’s on-track potential.
“Running a four car model clearly makes more sense for our business and gives us a greater opportunity as a group to win races,” Walkinshaw said.
“It gives us the ability to create an environment where all four drivers are pushing each other for results.”
Walkinshaw said partnering with Rosenberg boosts the whole team, while Percat’s elevation to the V8 main game was a natural progression for the talented driver.
“James is an extremely successful businessman who is passionate about motorsport, and has a fine reputation for fostering young talent – we look forward to a successful relationship,” he said.
“Nick has been a Walkinshaw Racing-supported driver since 2007 and giving him an opportunity in the main game has always been part of our strategy.
“Nick has a tremendous amount of natural talent and I look forward to watching his progress.”
Landing a full-time drive caps off a big week for Percat, who was earlier named as the replacement driver for James Courtney in the Sydney 500. Courtney was ruled out of the season finale after fracturing his tibia in a shocking crash at the Phillip Island 360 event.
