NICK Percat stood tall on the craziest day in Adelaide 500 history; seven years on he acknowledges he could do with some more help from the weather gods.
Percat took a remarkable victory in treacherous conditions for minnows Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport in the Sunday race of the 2016 Adelaide event.
“Standing on the top step at the Adelaide 500 was amazing, especially with my good friend Lucas Dumbrell as the team owner,” Percat reflected.
“He was my Formula Ford teammate and we were friends the whole way through, so to then be driving for him was very special and to win in Adelaide, I think I was the first South Australian to do it, it was incredible.
“That day in Adelaide was nuts: the weather was nuts, there was thunder, lightning, I think we had to cancel the race a few times due to all that going on.
“I think this year I need a bit of rain and a bit of luck again to go my way to try to stand on the top step, but it’s something I will never forget.”
V8 Sleuth’s coverage of the VAILO Adelaide 500 is proudly presented by Bad Boy Mowers – explore the world of Bad Boy Mowers with the new Spring/Summer catalogue of high-performance mowers here.
NEWS: Percat reveals eight-driver roster for his new karting team
It’s been a tough two-year reunion with the Walkinshaw organisation for Percat, but the key highlight did come in Adelaide, where he trailed home teammate Chaz Mostert for a special one-two.
That result is Walkinshaw Andretti United’s only double podium in the past eight years.
Percat’s best result of 2023 to date also came on South Australian soil, at The Bend in August, and he’s hoping for a big finish this weekend before he heads to Matt Stone Racing on a two-year deal.
“To have the aero package tweaked at Gold Coast, obviously it has improved, so to go there and get a good result with both cars would be amazing,” said Percat.
“We’ll both be very, very hungry for it: for me, obviously it’s a big send-off for the team and a thank you for everything, but for (Chaz) being a Ford boy it would be pretty cool. So if either one of us wins it would be massive for the team.”
Track action in Adelaide starts Thursday.
