Warren Luff and Jack Perkins will remain as Pirtek Enduro Cup co-drivers with the Walkinshaw Andretti United team in the 2018 Supercars Championship season.
Luff will drive alongside Scott Pye, and Perkins with James Courtney, giving continuity in the team’s driver pairings fielded in last year’s Sandown 500, Bathurst 1000 and Gold Coast 600 events.
Pye and Luff partnered to finish in second place in last year’s Bathurst 1000, a rare highlight in a tough season for the Walkinshaw Racing team before a joint buy-in by Michael Andretti’s eponymous operation and Zak Brown’s United Autosports operations.
“It’s great to be back that’s for sure,” said Luff.
“Working with Scotty last year was really enjoyable, we got along really well, and have very similar styles and feedback, so it’s a great match.
“Bathurst was a fantastic result last year, and one I definitely want to build on.
“There is a lot happening with the team this year, from the new ownership to the ZB Commodore, so it’s great to be back involved and along for the ride.”
Pye and Luff claimed second place in last year’s Bathurst 1000, and will team up once again in 2018. Keith McInnes Photography)
“I’m really excited to be back for my fourth year with the team and of course fourth year with James,” added Perkins.
“We didn’t have the best luck last year, so I’m looking forward to turning that around in 2018, starting by jumping behind the wheel at the test day [on Friday at Sydney Motorsport Park], which is always good fun.”
Perkins and Courtney have previously enjoyed success together, claiming victory in the opening race of the Gold Coast 600 in 2015.
Courtney and Perkins will continue their partnership into the 2018 Pirtek Enduro Cup. (Keith McInnes Photography)
“It’s fantastic for the team to have two drivers of Jack and Warren’s caliber back for the year,” said team manager Mathew Nilsson.
“Co-drivers play a vitally important part in the main drivers’ championship; it’s a critical role.
“Both Warren and Jack are experienced on the track, know the team well, and are proven drivers, so having them back for another year fills us with confidence.
“We know as a team that we can put either driver in the car at any time and they will do a great job, along with providing fantastic feedback. We are thrilled to have them back on board.”
Luff and Perkins’ respective confirmations further complete the Pirtek Enduro Cup field (see below), following Tickford Racing’s announcement that former Nissan co-driver David Russell will join its four-car line-up.
The two Walkinshaw Andretti United Holdens will run with identical liveries with backing from Mobil 1 and Boost Mobile.
The team will run under the entry of Mobil 1 Boost Mobile Racing in deference to major sponsors Mobil and Boost Mobile, with identical orange, black and silver liveries on their newly-built ZB Commodores.
Courtney will race with the #25 to honour 25 years since Mobil’s first sponsorship of the team when it was a factory Holden outfit.
| 2018 Australian Supercars Championship – Pirtek Enduro Cup Entry List | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Team / Entry | Driver | Co-Driver | ||
| 1. | Triple Eight Race Engineering |  |
 |
Jamie Whincup | Paul Dumbrell |
| 2. | Walkinshaw Andretti United |  |
|
Scott Pye | Warren Luff |
| 5. | Tickford Racing |  |
 |
Mark Winterbottom | Dean Canto |
| 6. | Tickford Racing | |
|
Cameron Waters | James Moffat |
| 7. | Nissan Motorsport |  |
 |
Ash Walsh | |
| 8. | Brad Jones Racing |  |
|
Nick Percat | |
| 9. | Erebus Motorsport |  |
|
David Reynolds | Luke Youlden |
| 12. | DJR Team Penske |  |
|
Fabian Coulthard | |
| 14. | Brad Jones Racing | |
|
Tim Slade | |
| 15. | Nissan Motorsport | |
|
Rick Kelly | |
| 17. | DJR Team Penske | |
|
Scott McLaughlin | Alexandre Prémat |
| 18. | Charlie Schwerkolt Racing |  |
|
Lee Holdsworth | Matthew Brabham |
| 19. | TEKNO Autosports |  |
|
Jack Le Brocq | |
| 21. | Tim Blanchard Racing (BJR) |  |
|
Tim Blanchard | |
| 23. | Nissan Motorsport | |
|
Michael Caruso | |
| 33. | Garry Rogers Motorsport |  |
|
Garth Tander | Chris Pither |
| 25. | Walkinshaw Andretti United | |
|
James Courtney | Jack Perkins |
| 34. | Garry Rogers Motorsport | |
|
James Golding | Richard Muscat |
| 35. | Matt Stone Racing |  |
|
Todd Hazelwood | |
| 55. | Tickford Racing | |
|
Chaz Mostert | Steve Owen |
| 56. | Tickford Racing | |
|
Richie Stanaway | David Russell |
| 78. | Nissan Motorsport | |
|
Simona de Silvestro | |
| 97. | Triple Eight Race Engineering | |
|
Shane van Gisbergen | Earl Bamber |
| 99. | Erebus Motorsport | |
|
Anton de Pasquale | Will Brown |
| 230. | 23Red Racing |  |
|
Will Davison | |
| 888. | Triple Eight Race Engineering | |
|
Craig Lowndes | Steven Richards |
Images via Keith McInness and Walkinshaw Andretti United
Geoff Burke
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