Supercar season opener set to stun with new livery

This year’s Supercar Season is set to open in spectacular fashion with a return to Newcastle featuring new livery for the Mobil 1 Optus Car #25 driven by Optus ambassador and 2x Bathurst 1000 champion, Chaz Mostert.

The challenging street circuit event in the centre of Newcastle will this year feature a new marque with Walkinshaw Andretti United (WAU) ending its 35-year association with Holden to race Ford Mustangs.

The race promises to be a sporting spectacle like no other with Camaro vs Mustang on track for the first time. The event which is staged over three days and opens with a practice session on day 1 with the following two days of competition covering a total of 190 laps and 500km.  

Big crowds are expected at an event regarded as one the drivers’ favourite street circuits especially as it was last held in 2019 due to Covid cancellations.

WAU will field two Ford Mustangs for Chaz Mostert and Nick Percat with the support of Ford Australia. The cars will hit the track for the first time at Newcastle following testing at Sydney Motorsport Park and Winton.

The last winner of the event was Jamie Whincup and Fabian Coulthard in second. Fabian will be driving the two endurance races with Nick Percat this season at Sandown and the Bathurst 1000. 

According to Bruce Stewart, Team Principal at Walkinshaw Andretti United, racing these new Gen3 cars will add a high level of unpredictability for every team in Supercars. “Importantly we are prepared to meet any challenges that present. The cars look and present amazingly well on track - most especially the Mobil 1 Optus Racing car, but perhaps I’m more than a little biased in that! 

“I’m super proud of the hard work our team have put in over the last three months to build these cars. The level of preparation has been high, and the boys and girls in our team have sacrificed a lot of time and energy to put our best efforts on the track. 

“We go into the Newcastle event with energy, positivity and optimism. We thank the amazing team at Optus for everything you do to support us and look forward to sharing the success and (more than a little) silverware in an exciting Supercars season ahead,” Bruce says.

According to Dan Lacaze, Senior Director Channel Marketing and Sponsorships at Optus, Newcastle is a tight street circuit with high concrete walls, so the first race of the season is sure to be action packed. 

“We can't wait to see the new Mobil 1 Optus Supercar in action for the first time. We'll be supporting from the pits with our partners at Walkinshaw Andretti United. We know Chaz will push the car to its absolute limits; he's got a reputation for leaving a few scratches on that beautiful new Mustang livery,” Dan says. 

Find out more about the new look livery and Chaz’s racing experiences last year.