Oli Wickham will join Triple Eight Race Engineering in a driver development program. Image: Supplied
Wickham currently leads the AASA Australia Formula Ford Championship with backing from Shaw and Partners Financial Services, led by Triple Eight co-owner Earl Evans.
The teenager will make his debut in Mustang Cup Australia at this weekend’s GT Festival Queensland as part of the Shannons SpeedSeries.
Wickham will pilot a second Shaw and Partners-backed Mustang Dark Horse R alongside the existing entry of Jack Perkins.
“This is the most exciting opportunity I’ve ever had,” Wickham said.
“To join this team, with the wealth of knowledge that the drivers, engineers and support crew at Triple Eight possess, is incredible.
“They are the benchmark in motorsport, and to be here is huge for my development and journey.
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“It’s an opportunity to take what I’ve done so far and continue to grow both on and off the track.
“This is the best place for me to do that, and I’m looking forward to working with everyone here to achieve the best results possible for the team, no matter what I’m driving.
“Mustang Cup this weekend is all about learning from Jack [Perkins] – everything about the car, the track and the racing, as well as how to go about things in the garage.
“It’s a big step up, but I’m ready for it and excited for it. The goal is to be in a Supercar one day, and this is the best start I could have hoped for.”
Wickham will pilot a second Shaw and Partners Mustang alongside Jack Perkins. Image: Speed Shots Photography
Triple Eight managing director Jamie Whincup said he envisioned a development pathway similar to that of Supercars championship leader Broc Feeney.
“When we first saw Oli in the car, we knew immediately that we were looking at a very talented young driver,” Whincup said.
“When you see someone with that raw talent who is coachable, eager and intelligent behind the wheel and in the garage, it’s really exciting.
“We want to invest in a young driver and give them the best shot at fulfilling their dream of becoming the next great talent.
“Mustang Cup now, then Super2 and Supercars – that’s Oli’s dream, and we’re here to support that every step of the way, both on and off the track.
“Broc [Feeney] is a great example of that.”
Both Triple Eight-backed Mustangs will be prepared by TCR champion squad HMO Customer Racing, with Wickham to pilot the #88.
Wickham joins series regulars Joe Fawcett, Imogen Radburn, and Matt Kiss as drivers eligible for the Dark Horse Junior class, battling for a visit to the Ford Racing Technical Centre in Concord, North Carolina.
Former Aussie Racing Cars champion Josh Anderson leads the championship standings following a dominant performance at The Bend, sweeping the weekend.
Anderson holds a 34-point buffer back to Fawcett, while Perkins played back into title contention at The Bend following a double DNF at the Phillip Island season opener.
TA2 racer Patrick Neville joins the field to bring the Dark Horse Legends class to four entries alongside Keith Kassulke, John Goodacre, and Warren Wadley.
After stunning on debut with impressive qualifying speed, Nick Percat’s protege Harry Bresnehan does not return for Queensland Raceway.
Mustang Cup Australia commences on Friday with a pair of practice sessions, before qualifying and a 40-minute race on both Saturday and Sunday.
Mustang Cup Australia Weekend Schedule (AEST)
Friday June 12
Practice 1: 11:20am
Practice 2: 2:15pm
Saturday June 13
Qualifying: 9:55am
Race 1: 2:45pm
Sunday June 14
Qualifying: 9:00am
Race 2: 12:00pm
Mustang Cup Australia Queensland Raceway Entry List
Num
Driver
Team
Class
23
Joe Fawcett
Joe Fawcett Motorsport
Dark Horse Junior
29
Imogen Radburn
Radburn Racing Team
Dark Horse Junior
47
Brock Giblin
Link Signs Racing
Dark Horse
55
Matthew Kiss
Betta Marquee
Dark Horse Junior
80
Warren Wadley
Wadley Property Group
Dark Horse Legends
88
Oliver Wickham
Shaw and Partners Financial Services
Dark Horse Junior
91
Keith Kassulke
Wheels FX Racing
Dark Horse Legends
92
Patrick Neville
Stroud Homes Toowoomba
Dark Horse Legends
93
John Goodacre
Ryan McLeod Racing Cars
Dark Horse Legends
94
Josh Anderson
Clean Vibes Multispares Racing
Dark Horse
95
Josh Trappett
Ryan McLeod Racing Cars
Dark Horse
888
Jack Perkins
Shaw and Partners Financial Services
Dark Horse
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