Walkinshaw Andretti United (WAU) has today confirmed that the Team will be entering the 2023 Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia (TGRA) 86 Series for the first time, with Matt Hillyer piloting the car.
Hillyer’s pathway to WAU has been established through the WAU Foundation Academy, a pipeline for young talent, from mechanics and drivers to commercial staff and engineers, creating a pathway leading up to the top category in Australian motorsport. Alongside Hillyer’s drive in the TGRA 86 Series, he currently works as a first-year apprentice as a Mechanic in sub-assembly for WAU.
“I am really excited to be joining Walkinshaw Andretti United in the Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia 86 Series. To be a part of their debut entrance in the series is pretty cool, I’m really looking forward to seeing what we can do together this year on track,” said Hillyer.
“To be working here for the last 18-months has been amazing to experience to understand how the team operates. We know each other well, so we can really get to work from the start and see what we can achieve in the Scholarship Series first up.
The WAU Foundation Academy exists to create pathways for emerging talent in Australian motorsport, but not just drivers.
“The WAU Foundation Academy aims to aid the progression of young talent in motorsport in Australia, and that is everything from drivers to mechanics, engineers, and commercial staff. A pathway to bring these people to the elite level is essential to the future of our sport,” Walkinshaw Andretti United Team Principal, Bruce Stewart said.
“Matt is a fantastic example of this. He’s not only an extremely talented driver who we see a bright future with on-track but has been a real asset to us working with the team, so we are all really excited to see him on track this year.
“This also gives us the opportunity to give hands on race experience to a number of younger staff across all areas of a race team, which is invaluable going forward.”
Hillyer joins the Team after successfully winning the 2022 Victorian Formula Ford Championship, claiming 8 race wins and 3/5 round wins. He is currently leading the Australian Formula Ford Series after an impressive first round at Morgan Park over the weekend, with P2 in the opening race and back-to-back wins on the Sunday.
The WAU TGRA 86 will be operated under the watchful eye of Rick Bates, staffed by WAU.
The car hits the track for the first TGRA Scholarship Series race at the NSW State Championship on April 14-16.
From there, WAU will aim to qualify for the TGRA 86 Series through finishing inside the top 20 in the Scholarship Series over the first three rounds.
Further details regarding the series and livery will be announced in due course.