DRIVING SUCCESS: A GEN3 CONVERSATION WITH WALKINSHAW ANDRETTI UNITED'S TEAM PRINCIPAL

The Supercars Championship is well under way, as teams and drivers prepare for the fifth round of the season, the Darwin Triple Crown. 

As the touring series undergoes one of the largest changes in its history, moving from Gen2 model Supercars to Gen3, Walkinshaw Andretti United, our team partner this season, has so far relished in their new car seats by Ford.

To know more about what’s new with the cars and how they are shaping up this season, we caught up with Bruce Stewart, Team Principal of Walkinshaw Andretti United.

What is your title and role with Walkinshaw Andretti United?

I am the Team Principal at Walkinshaw Andretti United. My role is the day-to-day operation of the Team, under our three ownership groups.

What inspired you to want to be involved with Supercars?

Supercars is a fast paced, exhilarating industry from the outside, and even more so once involved. I’d always had an interest in the sport, but that went to a new level, day one working in it – and I’ve been hooked ever since.

What are your thoughts on the introduction of Gen3 Supercars?

It’s a really important move for our sport, and the cars sound fantastic and going forward are going to provide an incredible spectacle for everyone.

What is the most challenging part about your job?

Supercars is a fast-moving environment, there are a lot of moving parts, literally. Responding to all situations and adapting as quickly as possible is the biggest challenge. I’m extremely fortunate to have a great team, with a lot of experience, so having those people to rely upon is a huge asset.

What is the best part about your job?

Winning or having a good result is one thing, knowing the work that has gone into it, but sharing it with your work mates, who are like family, makes it even better.

Can you walk us through a typical race day for you? How has that changed with the new Gen3 Supercars?

Race days are huge. We start off bright-and early leaving from the hotel, and then the first stop is usually a coffee!

From there, it gets pretty crazy, we are on track, in debriefs, getting ready for racing, and then looking after our wonderful partners in the garage, in hospitality and then managing driver appearances as well. There’s never a boring day that’s for sure.

What is your team’s approach to training and preparing for a race, and how has it changed with the introduction of Gen3 Supercars?

Gen3 has brought an unknown to our sport. We are dealing with new cars, new engines, new parts, which means there are a lot of unknowns. We prepare for every situation we can possibly think of, both at the workshop and at the track, but there is always stuff you can’t plan for.

How have the races been impacted with the introduction of the new model cars?

The overall theory for the race is the same, but we are constantly learning. Tyre degradation is different this year, fuel consumption is different, pit stops are different.

Which track are you most looking forward to seeing the Gen3 Supercars race on?

I can’t wait to see them at Bathurst, it’s the holy grail of our sport so seeing them across the top of The Mountain that first time is going to be awesome.

How do you manage the various pressures and demands of running a Supercars team?

There is no denying it’s a high-pressure industry, but having a great team around you makes it a lot easier. We’ve got a raft of people who we all can trust to get the job done no matter what.

What do you think the fans can look out for this season with the new Gen3 cars on the track?

A lot of action! We’ve seen the racing improve already this year, and I think they will go to the next level in the next few months.

Be sure to support the team at Walkinshaw Andretti United and tune in to the races from 16 June, you can also follow Isuzu Australia on Instagram for highlights from the event throughout the weekend.