OzRacingWrap

Walkinshaw Racing today announced that it has re-signed 2011 Bathurst 1000 Champion, Nick Percat, extending his contract for a further two years.

Percat has received Walkinshaw Racing backing since 2007, including support through his 2009 Championship winning Formula Ford season, his maiden season in the Fujitsu Series, and ultimately his full time seat in the Coates Hire Racing backed VE Commodore for the 2011 season.

Percat signalled his emerging talent with an impressive drive at Philip Island this year alongside Garth Tander in the #2 Toll Holden Racing Team Commodore before then firmly stamping his credentials at Mount Panorama by achieving a victory on debut.

Walkinshaw Racing Director, Ryan Walkinshaw, said he was delighted to have re-signed such a talented young driver.

“Nick has been a part of the Walkinshaw Racing family for almost five years now and re-confirmed our confidence in him with his stunning drive at Bathurst alongside Garth,” Walkinshaw said.

“He is a level headed and talented young driver who has a promising future in V8 Supercars. We look forward to further developing his skills and preparing him for his entry into the V8 Supercars main series in a couple of year’s time,” he said.

Percat was pleased to have a new deal signed and his immediate future secured with a top running team.

“It is every drivers dream to drive for a team like Walkinshaw Racing and I am fortunate enough to have had their support for the last four and a half years. To have been given the chance to drive in the enduros this year and win Bathurst with Garth at the Toll Holden Racing Team is an honour,” Percat said.

“I am grateful to Ryan and the team at Walkinshaw Racing for giving me this opportunity. Jumping straight up into V8 Supercars after the Bathurst success obviously had some appeal, but ensuring I work through a thorough apprenticeship and by being patient at this stage of my development should reap benefits when I do make the next step,” he said.

“I look forward to working extremely hard with the crew and focusing on clinching the 2012 Fujitsu V8 Supercars Series title.”

Percat will race a Walkinshaw Racing prepared Commodore in the 2012 Fujitsu Series, and finished the 2011 Championship in seventh position.