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Chaz Mostert was duct-taped to a trolley by his Supercheap Auto Racing crew and wheeled into the Walkinshaw Andretti United garage after the Coates Hire Newcastle 500 season finale.
The Bathurst 1000 race winner is widely tipped to join WAU for 2020, ending a relationship with Tickford Racing stretching back to 2011.
Heading into the race, Mostert’s helmet featured a number of goodbye messages written by members of the team.
“Look, I’m not sure what’s going on, but it wasn’t on the podium today, so we wanted to make sure you big gun commentators would come down and talk to us, so we just thought we’d have a bit of controversy,” Mostert joked to television about the antics, attempting to swat away speculation of his pending change of employer.
When asked about the matter, WAU co-owner Ryan Walkinshaw laughed to Speedcafe.com, “I don’t know what they were doing!
“They must have got lost on their way to trying to deliver him at some other garage.
“It was very, very confusing; I’ve got no idea why they would possibly think about dropping off Chaz tied up to a trolley into out pits. It was a very weird situation.”
Walkinshaw did, however, say that the dose of humour was a welcome one in light of the tension of recent weeks and months.
“The last few months have been extremely tough and stressful for every single team down pit lane for a whole manner of reasons,” he stated.
“Anything we can do to add a bit of light-heartedness to this paddock at the moment, I think, is very welcome.”
Mostert is expected to be replaced in the Supercheap Auto car by Jack Le Brocq, whose position at Tekno will be filled by James Courtney as the squad relocates to Sydney over the off-season.
Confirmation of Mostert’s departure from Tickford Racing is expected in the coming days.
