Percat talks looming Ford switch

Career-long Holden driver Nick Percat says his Ford switch won’t sink in until he drives one in anger next year.

Percat and Chaz Mostert will race Mustangs in 2023, with Walkinshaw Andretti United switching to the Blue Oval.

Back in May, WAU confirmed it would switch to Ford when the Gen3 era begins in 2023.

Fourth-generation Holden man Percat has only ever raced Commodores in Supercars or Super2.

His career highlights — 2011 Bathurst 1000 win and 2016 Adelaide 500 win — both came in Holdens.

In 2023, the #2 will be raced on a Ford for the first time since Steve Masteron carried it on his Falcon in 1984.

Percat sampled a Gen3 Ford earlier in the year, as did Mostert.

An artist's render of a Mostert WAU Mustang

For now, WAU’s focus is sending out Holden on top in Adelaide.

Percat is also focused on the now, but says he is keeping a close eye on Gen3.

“I haven’t thought about the Ford part so much yet,” Percat told Supercars.com.

“I’ve definitely got an eye on what’s happening with Gen3.

“Driving a Ford won’t feel real once I drive the thing in January.

“When one’s completely together in the workshop, I’ll be like, ‘Wow, this is happening’.

“I’ve done a few laps in the prototype, but until I have a Ford with my name on it, it’ll feel real.”

WAU is one of three teams — along with Triple Eight Race Engineering and Erebus Motorsport — that will construct their own chassis.

WAU and Erebus are using kits provided by PACE Innovations.

WAU is also dovetailing its Gen3 with a gradual move out of its long-term Clayton workshop.

The workshop is long associated with the factory Holden Racing Team.

It was in Holden workshops where the Percat family made its name.

Adelaide-born Percat’s great grandfather, grandfather and father all worked in Holden plants.

Not only will it make Holden’s final race in Adelaide emotional — it will edge Percat closer to its Ford switch.

Percat knows it will be a new experience for himself and his family.

Percat won the 2011 Great Race in a Commodore

However, he acknowledged the significant of WAU now having factory support from Ford.

The team was the factory Holden squad between 1990 and 2016.

“I’m sure Dad will be a bit upset by it,” Percat joked about his impending Ford move.

“My family might be a bit short with me at Christmas!

“I am excited to drive out of pit lane in Newcastle in a Ford for the first time.

“Especially because of how the team’s doing it — it’s not like we’re just stepping into a car.

“It’s a factory-backed effort, which is really cool for our team.”

The 2022 Repco Supercars Championship will conclude on the Adelaide streets on December 1-4.

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