Walkinshaw Andretti United has recently opened its new facility in Clayton, Victoria, coinciding with the launch of the Walkinshaw Andretti United Foundation Academy.
The 3000m2 new home of Walkinshaw Andretti United and Walkinshaw Racing puts the entire racing business under one roof in a state-of-the-art facility, still connected to its history in Clayton where the team has spent close to three-decades.
The Walkinshaw Racing side of the business, which includes the fabrication shop, machine shop, engine shop, paint booth and stores area sits in one half of the facility, while the Walkinshaw Andretti United car preparation area, temperature controlled sub-assembly and engine assembly room, as well as the transporter all sit in the other half of the workshop. Connected to both are the engineering and commercial offices.
The Walkinshaw Andretti United Foundation Academy has been established to provide opportunity and a pathway for the next generation of talent in Australasian motorsport.
At its core, the premise is to allow the best talent to rise to the top, irrespective of funding, background, or wealth, through opportunity.
Be it young drivers, engineers, mechanics, or commercial staff, the WAU Foundation Academy provides the hands-on experience of working in race environments and taps into a wealth of knowledge within our four walls and sport.
The Foundation has already provided a pathway for Ryan Wood to graduate to the main game in 2024 with Walkinshaw Andretti United, whilst working closely with young mechanics, engineers, and commercial staff on the same pathway.
The opening signifies a key moment in time for the Team with a new facility, and commitment to nurturing the next wave of talent in our sport.
WAU will give fans an opportunity to experience the new facility early next year with an open day.
Bruce Stewart - Team Principal, Walkinshaw Andretti United
“It’s fantastic to officially open the doors to our new facility in Clayton, to have the entire team under one roof in a state-of-the-art facility now properly reflects our operations, but to also to launch the WAU Foundation Academy on the same night signifies the future of our team.
“It’s a place everyone in the team is really proud of, looks fantastic, has increased productivity, and its seen collaboration between departments naturally skyrockets because of the proximity of everyone.
“We’ve seen the Foundation Academy in action already with the path that Ryan Wood has followed with us over the last 12-months, but it’s not just driver focussed, we’ve been lucky enough to see the advancement of a number of young engineers, mechanics and commercial staff who have thrived once given the opportunity.
“We’ve had some incredible support and donations so far from partners and organisations who committed to helping the future talent of motorsport here, and we can’t thank them enough.”