{"id":291979,"date":"2025-11-18T06:13:16","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T06:13:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/291979\/"},"modified":"2025-11-18T06:13:16","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T06:13:16","slug":"motorsport-news-erebus-motorsport-junior-oliver-wickhams-unusual-journey-to-gr-cup-crown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/291979\/","title":{"rendered":"Motorsport news: Erebus Motorsport junior Oliver Wickham\u2019s unusual journey to GR Cup crown"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Erebus
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOliver Wickham celebrates winning the 2026 GR Cup with his family. Image: Jack Martin<\/p>\n

When the heavens opened on the second lap, Hugo Simpson rear-ended Pip Casabene at the first turn.<\/p>\n

Oliver Wickham decided to play it safe and pulled into the pit lane, following the Safety Car in on the restart.<\/p>\n

In the end, the #34 Toyota 86 driver finished 18th \u2013 enough to take the title over Walkinshaw Andretti United academy driver Lincoln Taylor.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe watched what went on ahead of me with the crash, and that\u2019s the last thing I wanted to happen,\u201d Wickham told Speedcafe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just needed to finish the race and would secure it,\u2019 he said of the title.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe made the right choice coming into pit lane, dropping to the back, and just cruising around to stay on the track.<\/p>\n

\u201cDefinitely the right decision, finished the race, and obviously came away with the championship. Happy with it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got the radio message from the team under Safety Car and I asked what everyone thought of it. They all thought it was a good idea, so I went along with it and it worked out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sixteen-year-old Toyota champ gets first Supercars laps<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Bathurst 1000 winner Paul Morris, one of Wickham\u2019s mentors, commended the teenager for his approach to the title.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s going to make a big difference to the next step on Oli Wickham\u2019s racing career,\u201d said Morris of the $50,000 prize.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you win that championship? It\u2019s only five rounds, the best way to win that championship is not lose it.<\/p>\n

\u201cOli had a plan. We mapped out a plan for him and he was consistent. Scored points when he could. When he could get on the podium, he did.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t throw it away once. Predominantly stayed on the right side of the law, learned from his mistakes, and capitalised when he could. That\u2019s why he\u2019s the champion.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wickham, just 16 years old, took the title without winning a race, proving that consistency is key in the series.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t have to win every race to win the championship. I never won a race all year, but was always inside that top six most weekends,\u201d said Wickham.<\/p>\n

\u201cStarting Townsville with three podiums really gave me the confidence I needed to continue throughout the year.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust staying consistent and learning as much as I could is what I\u2019ve learned.\u201d<\/p>\n

The teenager was supported by Paul Morris and the Norwell Motorplex team, Supercars driver Declan Fraser and Erebus Motorsport CEO Barry Ryan.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Oliver Wickham on track at Sandown Raceway. Image: Jack Martin<\/p>\n

He is the second Erebus-affiliated driver to win the GR Cup after Max Geoghegan, who clinched the 2024 title.<\/p>\n

Wickham said it was \u201can honour\u201d to have their support.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did a fair bit at Norwell last year for my first season where I learned how to drive a car and the fundamentals and all the small things that gain time,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve had a great relationship with Paul ever since. Obviously he\u2019s helped a lot of young drivers who have made it. So hopefully one day his influence will get me there.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s an honour that a Supercars team has recognised me and have asked me to join their academy.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe support from Barry and the entire crew from Erebus has been great and I\u2019ve built great relationships from it.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe amount of effort the mechanics, team managers, Paul, and driver coaches have put in\u2026 To get this result I feel like I definitely gave back what they deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wickham has not confirmed his racing plans for 2026 and wouldn\u2019t rule out a return to the GR Cup.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n


\"\"
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