WAU won’t rest to rectify ‘not acceptable’ struggles

Walkinshaw Andretti United has vowed to its supporters that it won’t rest until it’s back at the front of the grid after a ‘not acceptable’ showing at the Pirtek Perth SuperNight.

The Holden squad’s struggle for pace and consistency this season continued at Barbagallo Wanneroo Raceway, resulting in the team issuing a frank statement on its current plight.

Neither James Courtney nor Scott Pye could break the top 15 in either of the two races under lights in their Mobil 1 Mega Racing ZB Commodores.

The weekend began with the pair qualifying a lowly 20th and 22nd respectively for Saturday’s Race 11, with Pye going on to finish 16th, while Courtney was caught up in an incident that punctured his right front tyre.

To make matters worse, stewards handed down a $3,000 fine and the loss of 30 teams’ championship points after the brake lock mechanism failed to engage for the entire time Car #22’s wheels were off the ground during its first pit stop.

Pye gave the outfit a glimmer of hope on Saturday by qualifying 10th although an attempt to pass Andre Heimgartner resulted in contact that forced the South Australian to retire with damage when on course for a top 10.

Meanwhile, Courtney came home in 16th having started from 20th on the grid. 

Reflecting on the weekend, the team admitted that its struggles are not acceptable and is determined to rectify its pace issues.

“Despite the progress of last year, there’s no doubt we are currently struggling, and that’s not acceptable,” read a joint statement from co-team principals Mathew Nilsson and Bruce Stewart.

“We completely understand the frustration from our supporters. That frustration comes from loyalty and passion for this team, and that’s what drives us.

“To our fans and amazing partners, we state that we are not going to sit on our hands and accept this. 

“We will be using our resources to move forward, you WILL see us progress back up to the front, and no one will rest until that happens.

“We know a lot will say that’s been said before, but we can only deal in the present. What we do know is that everyone here in Australia and around the globe are hurting, but no one is rolling over. We’re down but we are not out.”

The squad has slipped to eighth in the teams standings behind Kelly Racing’s duo of Rick Kelly and Heimgartner. 

It will now aim to regroup before heading to Winton for the next round of the championship from May 24-26.