WAU selected as Toyota homologation team

Ryan Walkinshaw has labelled Walkinshaw Andretti United's role as Toyota's Supercars homologation team as a "fantastic honour and privilege."

Toyota confirmed Wednesday it will enter at least four GR Supras in the 2026 Repco Supercars Championship. Two will be from the WAU camp, driven by current stars Chaz Mostert and Ryan Wood.

It's the second major change for WAU in as many years, with the team switching to Ford for 2023 following three decades as a Holden team.

Team Director Walkinshaw has long chased a new manufacturer, with his team the Holden factory squad between 1990 and 2016 before the General Motors brand aligned with Triple Eight Race Engineering.

“To announce our future with Toyota Australia, as it enters the Supercars Championship from 2026, is a fantastic honour and privilege for everyone at Walkinshaw Andretti United,” Walkinshaw said.

“Toyota’s commitment to our team and to the sport is a historic moment, and one that shouldn’t be underestimated.

“We have developed a fantastic relationship with Toyota Australia through the Walkinshaw Group, and we are delighted to extend that partnership into Walkinshaw Andretti United – we can’t wait to share success together in 2026 and beyond."

Walkinshaw did, however, insist there is a job still to be done in 2024 and 2025 with Ford, with Mostert currently fighting for this year's title.

“While the future is certainly exciting, our immediate focus is on the remainder of 2024 and the 2025 seasons, winning races, and sending off our relationship with Ford the right way," Walkinshaw said.”

Fellow WAU Directors Zak Brown and Michael Andretti echoed Walkinshaw's sentiments, Andretti reiterating how critical being a homologation is to the operation.

“We are incredibly excited to announce our future with Toyota Australia, and it’s a great honour to be the homologation team working with it and Supercars to bring it to life," Andretti said.

"Being a homologation team is huge part of our DNA and history, so this next chapter ahead of us is enormous, not only for us, but for the sport. We can’t thank Toyota Australia enough for its belief in us.

“Having said that, we also need to acknowledge Ford, and thank it for its partnership to date, we are all committed to ending on a high note.”

Brown added: “Today is a huge day for Walkinshaw Andretti United and for Supercars, and we are delighted to be partnering with Toyota Australia as it enters the sport in 2026.

“To have a third OEM enter into Supercars shows the strength of the sport now and into the future, and it’s going to be pretty special to see all three manufacturers battle it out.

“We’ve got some races to win with Ford before that, they have been fantastic to work with and we are fully committed to finishing that relationship the best way.”