Zak Brown eyeing win in Bathurst visit

Walkinshaw Andretti United co-owner Zak Brown is hopeful of Bathurst victory in his first time trackside in three years.

Brown is trackside with WAU and fellow team owner Ryan Walkinshaw this weekend.

The 2019 Bathurst 1000 was Brown’s last formal appearance at a Supercars event.

WAU duly brought home a podium courtesy of James Courtney and Jack Perkins.

The team won the 2021 race in a canter, with Chaz Mostert and Lee Holdsworth taking the team’s eighth win.

Critically, it was the first Bathurst win under the Walkinshaw Andretti United guise, which debuted in 2018.

Brown, the McLaren Formula One boss, has chosen Mount Panorama over Suzuka, which is hosting this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix.

Given the team’s 2021 result and Brown being on the ground, the American is hoping WAU can make it count.

Ryan Walkinshaw, Brown and Michael Andretti in 2019

“It’s my second time in Bathurst, first time in Australia in a few years,” Brown told assembled media.

“I watched it last year on TV and we got the trophy.

“I’m up in the middle of the night often, watching the races on SuperView.

“We need a little bit more consistency to fight for the championship.

“We’ve got cars that can win, and I hope we win this weekend.

“But it’s tough competition.”

WAU will shift to Ford in 2023 when the Gen3 era commences.

The team has run Commodores since its inception in 1990.

Brown celebrates Scott Pye's 2018 AGP win

Brown is a noted collector of race cars, and owns the team’s 2011 Bathurst-winning Commodore.

WAU’s final race as a General Motors squad will be the season-ending VALO Adelaide 500.

Brown cited winning in Bathurst and Adelaide as key to sending off Holden and GM’s relationship with WAU.

“It’s a very important race for us,” Brown said of Bathurst.

“This and Adelaide are two trophies that would mean a lot to us, given our longstanding Holden relationship.

“I’m fortunate to be the owner of the last works Holden Bathurst winner.

“Holden is an awesome racing company, as is Ford.

“Jim Farley [global Ford boss] is a good friend, and Mark Rushbrook [global Ford motorsport boss], they’re massive fans of motor racing.

“The car looks awesome, it’s exciting for Supercars, it’s going to be a new chapter for us.

“I’m sure we’re going to win races together.”