WARREN Luff will get a shot at adding to his Bathurst 1000 podium tally after all, despite Walkinshaw Andretti United’s wildcard plans not eventuating.
V8 Sleuth understands Team 18 has moved quickly, swooping to loan out the veteran from WAU.
That will see Luff reunite with Scott Pye, the driver with whom he was runner-up at Bathurst in both 2017 and 2018.
WAU’s confirmation of its 2023 wildcard program not proceeding included reference to ensuring that Luff found a drive elsewhere, while continuing as its own Super2 driver development advisor.
“We were really keen to run a wildcard entry this year at Sandown and Bathurst but ultimately, with all that has occurred with Gen3 and the costs associated, it unfortunately wasn’t feasible,” said WAU team principal Bruce Stewart.
“As soon as we made the decision not to progress, our first priority was ensuring that Luffy was on the grid this year, because it’s where he belongs.
“It’s disappointing not to bring it to life, Luffy was retained with us for a reason, but it’s something no doubt we will look to do in the future.”
There is no official confirmation as yet about the Luff/Team 18 tie-up, but the 47-year-old will join Pye for both the Sandown 500 in September and Bathurst 1000 in October.
That rounds out the Charlie Schwerkolt-owned outfit’s enduro roster, with Michael Caruso retained alongside Mark Winterbottom.
The top seven teams in pitlane have now filled all of their co-driving seats (excluding any yet-to-be-announced wildcards), leaving Brad Jones Racing, Matt Stone Racing, PremiAir Racing and the Blanchard Racing Team with the last remaining vacancies.
