WAU: 'Surreal' to see new Fords in the flesh

Seeing Walkinshaw Andretti United’s first Ford Supercars in the flesh has proven “surreal" for Team Principal Bruce Stewart.

It has been a big week for WAU, which revealed its two Supercars for Chaz Mostert and Nick Percat on Monday.

Mostert will again carry Optus colours, with Percat backed by NTI for his second season with the team.

Mobil 1 is co-naming rights sponsor in what is its 30th year in partnership with WAU.

To mark the new Ford relationship, both WAU cars will carry the famous Mustang GT stripes in 2023.

The new Gen3 WAU Mustangs rolled out for the first time at Winton Motor Raceway on Wednesday morning.

It put a footnote on what has been a major nine months for the team since the Ford deal was announced.

Arguably the biggest manufacturer shift in the sport's history, WAU's Ford move confirmed an end to a storied General Motors run which began in 1990. 

As the Holden Racing Team between 1990 and 2017, it won six drivers' titles and seven Bathurst 1000s. The team added another Bathurst win, its first under the WAU banner, in 2021.

WAU is also in the process of shifting into new headquarters, having previously worked out of Clayton.

"We’ve all been working towards these cars for so long now that to see it in the flesh, looking so good, is a bit surreal to be honest,” Stewart said.

"Our Team has been incredible with their dedication and commitment in getting here.

“We wouldn’t be in this position without the support of all our partners. 2023 is Mobil 1’s 30th year with our team which is just incredible, NTI have been a huge supporter of our team.

“But everywhere you look on these cars there are fantastic partners like Morris in their 13th with us now, who are intrinsically linked in the business and VALO who joined us mid last year and have done wonderful things for our sport.

“The fact we’ve had nearly every single partner recommit to us is the loyalty we love, and everyone in this business appreciated their support, as well as the new partners who have come on board who we are excited to work with.

“It’s getting very real now, I can’t wait to see the Mobil 1 NTI Racing Ford Mustang GT on track, and to get the season underway.”

The team also announced Wednesday that Lee Holdsworth will return to partner Mostert for the 2023 enduros.

Mostert and Holdsworth won the 2021 Repco Bathurst 1000 before the latter took up a full-time seat at Penrite Racing.

Fabian Coulthard, who raced to second with Mostert last year, will partner Percat in the #2 Ford at Sandown and Bathurst.

Holdsworth and Coulthard also turned laps in the new Gen3 WAU Fords at Winton on Wednesday.

WAU's first round as a Ford team will come at the Thrifty Newcastle 500 on March 10-12.

Tickets are on sale on Supercars.com and Ticketek.com.